From specimen to designer ring....

Just a quick blog article to show a specimen to a finished product. I am still amazed at what mother nature creates on her own, then we as designers create beautiful and interesting pieces of jewelry. Not sure if I have mentioned to you before, yet my design process is shopping for gemstones then design the piece of jewelry, normally it is done the other way around. Yet, those of you who know me, know that I never do anything exactly how everyone else is doing it!!!

Azurite Malachite is a combination of two very distinct gemstones;  Azurite is a deep and rich blue while Malachite is shades of green in botryoidal shapes. They crystallize together forming in masses, crusts and nodules. When Azurite mixes with Malachite a beautiful blue green swirl occurs. It is found in China, yet the best specimens come from the USA. It is found anywhere that copper is present.

I love designing with gemstones such as this one because of it's deep and inspiring color combination.

Azurite Malachite Nugget Specimen

Beautiful Example of Banding.....

Azurite Malachite 18k Yellow Gold Brushed Diamond Ring

 Designed by Maryann Scandiffio Jewelry Design

There is nothing better.....

One of the things I love about my job is that I often deal with people on a happy note. They are interested in getting engaged, upgrading her diamond because they have been together for 25+ years or she's having his first child and he wants to surprise her with a push gift. I hear so many stories of love and commitment that inspire me daily.

John and his now fiancé' Ashlea, came to me with his family heirloom, a round brilliant diamond that was his grandmother's given to his mother and now his mother is giving it to him. Diamonds such as this have significant sentiment, just like Princess Diana's two side stones that Prince Harry had mounted in the ring for Meghan Markle.

We did find the perfect setting for John's family heirloom and Ashlea is overjoyed with it and the history that goes with it. On behalf of myself and Provident Jewelry we wish them a lifetime of happiness!

Photos of their engagement that they have allowed me to share with you. Thank you John and Ashlea, it was a privilege to work with you!

Thoughts after hurricane Irma.....

It's four days since hurricane Irma left Naples, FL and I can't help to think thank you!!! Thank you for not being a category 5, which you were predicted to be. Thank you that my family, friends and coworkers are all safe and accounted for. And finally, thank you for the opportunity to spend unexpected time with people I love in the small Naples environment that is a loving and spiritual place that I am so blessed to be a part of.

Prior to Irma's arrival, I prepared by gathering a few items quickly from my closet and as I did, I thought to myself, what if everything I have is destroyed. What do I want to take? My heart said make sure you grab the white Coach purse your brother gave you several years ago at Christmas as well as the Temple St. Clair angel charm your Saks Fifth Ave jewelry department coworkers gave to you with Amy engraved on the back. Amy was my dearest high school friend who passed away ten years ago unexpectedly. It was so kind and thoughtful of my coworkers to do that, I cherish it to this day. Let me say, It's not so much the purse or the charm, yet, I love them both very much. It's that people took the time for me, both items given to me out of love and that is irreplaceable. The gestures of kindness filled me up when I thought of it.

Emerging after the storm two days later because, now it is safe to drive according to the radio. I drive back to my tiny cottage style home from my mother's where I hunkered down with her, my father and my sweet little dog Gemini. When I arrived home I was completely unprepared for what I would see when I opened the gate to my backyard. My backyard was completely destroyed, which frankly my little patio with the beautiful robust fuchsia bougainvillea trellis was the best part of my little bungalow style home. Astonished at what I saw, yet emotionally solid saying to myself, there is nothing I can change about this situation so accepting it will make everything after this moment that much easier to deal with.

So, some lessons for myself during this weeks experience have been, that all material things can be replaced, yet some items hold irreplaceable sentimental value. That time is the most valuable thing in life and cherishing every minute is crucial to a satisfying life. And lastly, that one small gesture of kindness makes both people involved feel good.

Please know that when you come to see me at Provident Jewelry to sell your personal items. I understand the sentimental value and I appreciate that you are coming to see me for assistance. When in our community of Naples you have a choice of where to go and I know that! And with that said, let me show you some jewelry from our estate collection. Items we have purchased or traded from individuals, which means you are getting a great value for your purchase when considering estate items!

In closing, I need to address there were numerous lives lost in hurricane Irma. So, for the casualties that Irma caused, I pray for the families and friends of those individuals, may they find peace.

Rose Gold Oval Diamond Halo Ring - she is elegant!

Diamond Dangle Earrings - she's makes a statement....

Thank you for reading this months blog, it's a privilege to have a voice and be able to share it.

Peridot the gemstone associated with prosperity & good fortune.....

The gemstone peridot is associated with prosperity and good fortune. Who doesn't want a little bit of that in their life? Yes, I am an August baby and love my birthstone for it's unique rich color and interesting character. All of which are typical of the Leo's themselves.....

Peridot is the rare gem-quality variety of the common mineral olivine, which forms deep inside the earth's upper mantle, then brought to the surface by volcanoes. In Hawaii, the gemstone symbolizes the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess of fire who controls the flow of lava.

The gemstone has always been associated with light. In the Egyptian times they called the gemstone the "gem of the sun". Although the finest peridot is a pure grass green, most peridot is yellowish-green. Lower quality is brownish in color. Peridot is cut in a variety of shapes and sizes, from oval, emerald as well as cushion.

Fine peridot is eye clean, yet under magnification one might see tiny black spots, which are tiny minute mineral crystals. My favorite mineral inclusion that I loved finding when at GIA studying for my GG were the "lily pads". Lily pads are just that the shape of a lily pad inside the gemstone, which is a natural inclusion and beautiful in my eyes. See below a photograph of the "lily pad" discoids from the inside of a peridot gemstone. Please do come to see me at Provident Jewelry and I will show you this natural inclusion through the microscope, I would love to show you!

    MS Jewelry Design

In the final days.....

It’s hard to believe the end of this five month journey is in site. All twenty members of class #207 are preparing, imagining, fearing, sweating and feeling a sense of hope they will soon complete this rigorous yet empowering Graduate Gemologist course. In the first several weeks of the course our professor told us stories of well educated people who never completed the course. They were not prepared for how intense the course was, nor were they willing to do the amount of work in a lab setting to complete the requirements for the degree. Don’t get me wrong, everyone has their own level of resilience and desire. If we didn’t know prior to attending the GIA course, we definitely know now how resilient we truly are.

The 20 stone test seemed to be months away, then before I knew it the following Friday would my first attempt at taking the test. The school allows each student five attempts at taking the test because the diagnosis of all 20 stones needs to be 100% accurate in order to pass and receive one’s GG. I have to admit that my track record in getting a 100% on any test in school was rare. Okay, so if we were talking about art, fashion or what jewelry design house created the Macri Collection with hand engraving made in Italy and the most incredible craftsmanship going back to the early 1900’s, I could most certainly tell you it was Buccellati. But, 100% accuracy on determining 20 stones with zero errors… now that is a tall order!It’s not that I am not capable or that I can not apply myself in the way necessary to accomplish the grade. However, some of the information was so complex that I needed to break it down into small chunks so I could retain and review everything. Sometimes it took four times before I could actually retain it. The course moved so rapidly, that at times I felt I was falling behind. On weekends I would study 8 hours on both Saturday and Sunday, while other students were taking trips, playing or attending class bomb fires at the beach. Unfortunately, I did not have the luxury of playing on the weekends. I knew if I were going to pass the course and obtain the level of education I wanted, I needed to apply myself as I had never done before. I was ready and I did it. Occasionally, I broke away for an early morning hike. Enjoying the amazing area of California helped me focus and prepare for a long day of study.

I found it interesting the reasoning behind the high standard of testing is that GIA is known through out the world as having the best gemological educational facility, laboratory and research department of our time. Their reputation extends far and wide, and they want to protect both the student entering the trade as well as the general public. An error in evaluating a stone for a client or making a large purchase of Columbian emeralds, if not diagnosed correctly can be a costly mistake. The school is preparing their students to enter the trade with the necessary information they will need to succeed. I have come to respect and appreciate this high level of standard. I am very grateful I was able to accomplish it.

The past five months for me was both challenging and rewarding.  I have a better appreciation of the process now that I am on the other side. I passed the 20 stone test with 100% and was thrilled beyond measure. It felt so good to select one by one the small manila envelopes, remove the stone, test the properties and then make my calls. I had a natural ruby, that prior to my GIA education I would have called synthetic because the color was slightly pinkish with a very bright tone, but through my education and knowing what inclusions only appear in natural stones, I was able to call it correctly. Next, I had an opal triplet and at first it could have gone either way synthetic or natural. With my microscope I viewed the play of color and not seeing any snake skin effect or consistent pattern throughout the opal, I knew it had to be natural. I was delighted to get what I thought was an amber stone. Once I put it in the testing solution and it floated, I had confirmation it was a natural organic gem called amber. A beautiful blue sapphire showed up as one of my stones and because it had straight color zoning, I took the RI determining it was sapphire.  Now the call was synthetic or natural and the zoning determined the call being natural sapphire with no treatment call necessary. Another of my stones was a Jadeite and this stone through out the course had made me nervous because sometimes I could see the dye band in the spectroscope and sometimes not. Calling it Jadeite could be an incorrect call if it is dyed. I had done this several times on my practice 20 tests. In this case it showed me a dye band, and all I could think to myself was thank you, thank you, thank you! Calling it dyed Jadeite was the correct call! I felt confident as I finished the test and reviewed my calls and yet not second guessing myself or changing my call too often. Turning the test in I was hopeful yet not overly confident because one minor treatment miss, natural or synthetic, and the fun ones like Scapolite or Amethyst when the properties overlap and additional testing not easy to determine need to be done in order to call it can be the one stone that takes you down.

So, as you can see in reading my blog, gemology is no only a science but also a love of mine. I am elated because I have wanted to get my Graduate Gemologist degree for several years now.  It was a goal of mine. I feel accomplished having obtained the credentials I have always wanted. It feels good! Thank you all for your support as I walked this wonderful journey, yet I have the distinct feeling this is just the beginning of a new and tremendous journey for me. I have an appreciation for colored stones, diamonds and aggregates that is so much more in-depth than when I began the pursuit of my GG and for that I am grateful.

                                   

                                                   Diamond macle with perfectly formed Trigons  

Phenomena Gemstones

       Myself, Elizabeth Ellman, Nina Spano (GIA teacher), Julie Ewer, Sierra Petey Jones & Mengshuan Lin.

Gems of Pala Mine Trip

The GIA school puts on several mining trips per year and I decided to embark on this particular not wanting to miss out on a once in a lifetime experience. We visited to Stewart Lithia mine located in Pala, California presently owned by a long time miner Blue Sheppard. This mine is known as the largest mine largest pegmatite operation in US history. Absolutely an industrial giant! A pegmatite is a coarsely crystalline granite or igneous rock with crystals from centimeters to several meters in length. Truly an amazing occurrence of nature that continues to fascinate me the more I learn about gemstones at GIA and experience the rock world outside of the jewelry store environment.

Gem quality natural pink tourmaline is fives times as rare as gem quality diamonds and more than time times as valuable as gold in it’s natural form. Tourmaline produces exquisite gemstones that are beautiful in saturation, vibrant in color and a tone that is luscious.
In the 1890’s most of the Stewart Lithia tourmaline mined was exported to China of rate Chi’ing Dynasty Imperial Court of the Empress T’su Hsi, who financially supported all of San Diego County tourmaline mining for 30 years. Pink Tourmaline was believed to be a sacred gem of the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin, is the embodiment of great compassion. He has vowed to free all sentient beings from suffering.

Blue purchased the museum 30 plus years ago and has operated it ever since. He has mined all over the world and has found incredible amounts of gem quality tourmaline, quartz, feldspar and other varieties. Many of the gemstones and specimens from this mine are in museums like GIA, Smithsonian & Los Angeles National History Museum. So if you are ever in one of those places do keep an eye out for a specimen from Gems of Pala.

As I put my hard hat on and grabbed a flash light the excitement of going into a mine and seeing were gemstones and specimens are dug was fascinating to me. I could see myself with a hammer and chisel standing on a ladder searching, digging and eagerly anticipating the next find. Especially, if you are like Blue and find pockets of gem quality stones that profit millions of dollars with that one find! Who knew mother nature could be so generous….

The temperature in Pala, CA was 87% and with pants and a long shirt was rather smoldering, yet the anticipation weight heavier. Entering the mine, I could feel the cool damp dark rock. We traveled down the mine about 400 meters, which, took approximately 20 minutes. Blue took us into the Honeymoon Sweet, which is a room that produced a wealth of gem quality tourmaline for him. As you view the photos from below the rock inside the mine is of all colors, the sparkle at times is stunning and to see them protruding from the rock, exposed specimens, what a delight for me. A world of fascination and as I continue to learn about different aspect of the jewelry trade my love grows deeper everyday.

Thank you for reading and your interest in my experience is appreciate. Please read next weeks blog, which will be a personal interview of Blue’s life as a miner and the extraordinary experiences he has had.

Please see below several photos from the inside of the mine.

Blue Sheppard mine owner showing us the medical device he uses while working in the mine.

Black Tourmaline specimen

Lippidolite in the mine walls

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

Tasteful & timeless turquoise......

Turquoise is valued for a combination of its ancient heritage and attractive color. Its finest color is an even, intense, medium blue, sometimes described as “robin egg” blue.  Although, some prefer a greenish blue as seen in some contemporary designer jewelry.  This color is anywhere from avocado to lime green turquoise. The source for top color is the Nishapur district in Iran, the country formerly known as Persia. That’s why you may have heard of “Persian turquoise” before. American & Mexican turquoise is light blue, or greenish blue to bluish green in color. While Egyptian turquoise is greenish blue to yellowish green. The bluer the shade the more copper it contains. 

The stone is often cut into cabochons, but you will see it in beaded jewelry as well as flat pieces of inlays often found in Native American jewelry. In the 1970's, this gem was extremely popular. The largest and most consistent market for this beautiful stone is the American Southwest. The Sleeping Beauty mine is in Globe, Arizona, which is the world's top turquoise producer. 

I found it interesting that in the Victorian era there was a surge in ornate turquoise jewelry designs. I have always associated it with the Native American culture. Fine estate pieces from the Art Deco period of the early twentieth century are often set in platinum combined with diamonds. Such vintage treasures occupy the high end of today’s turquoise market, and Provident Jewelry has a dynamite collection of turquoise time period pieces. Below are two pairs of earrings that are absolutely stunning.

Until next week, remember to sparkle on and thank you for reading!

Trends from Vegas

The jewelry industry’s largest trade show for finished jewelry is in Las Vegas the first week of June every year.  It just took place. I had planned to attend to cover trends, but with my school curriculum and schedule it was not possible.  I was particularly sorry to miss this year’s ART DECO offerings.  This is another trend you will be seeing a great deal of in magazines.  We buy, sell and trade a huge selection of estate jewelry at Provident. Our collection of Art Deco is timeless. Normally, the designs are very intricate, yet with simple looks; usually set in white gold or platinum with diamonds, accented by strong geometric shapes of colored gems like coral and black onyx together. Other designs use diamonds and the accenting colored gemstone would be ruby or blue sapphire. The Art Deco period was mid 1800’s to 1915, so it is jewelry that has been passed down from generation to generation. If you’re fortunate enough to have had one of these heirlooms passed down to you, I encourage you to wear it, now’s the time.  If you don’t have such a treasure or would like to own one, you know who to see for a piece that speaks to you. This time period look I love to style with my everyday wardrobe, because it’s about wearing the jewelry for me, not keeping it in the jewelry box or a safe or vault.  I can’t appreciate it there! 

Oh, how I hated to miss the show this year as it is the most exciting thing for a girl who so passionately loves the jewelry world as I do, but other things prevailed, namely, my GIA education.  In lieu of my attending the show, Scott Suchy, the GM at Provident Jewelry, 766 5th Ave., Naples’ store, and Aaron Steinberg the Managing Partner in Ft. Myers, filled me in on the scoop.  Of course, I also research the trade publications that help me stay abreast of important industry information as well as talk with my Women's Jewelry Association buddies.  I have compiled a list of things you will be seeing in the fashion magazines, on television, and in stores going forward.

The first trend is GEOMETRIC SHAPES which was seen in earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets. The fabulous Roberto Coin cuff in the photo below is a fantastic example of geometric shapes. Roberto Coin of Italy is a staple brand for us at Provident Jewelry because the product is so well made, easy to wear, and the designs speak for themselves.

STATEMENT NECKLACES like this lovely Gucci 18k White & Pink gold with diamonds necklace is definitely a show stopper. All a woman needs is that simple black dress in her closet to pull this off, and trust me I know every woman out there has one in her wardrobe. The trend, from simple statement necklace, to the big and bold, is whatever you prefer.  This can be something you can incorporate into your world without a lot of effort. All price points are available. One just needs to know where to shop.  Please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to help you find your hearts’ desired statement necklace. You might do well to consider Gucci, another Italian designer who has a collection for every woman.

The last trend noticed was COINS & CAMEOS, which are always interesting items. I have always loved cameos, I guess it’s my Italian heritage. They were very popular in Ancient Rome, especially in the Augustus family circle.  Oh, how I love Italy... The creation of cameo carving goes back many generations in an Italian jeweler’s family, it is a laborious process that requires love of the art. The cameo shell bracelet is one of particular elegance and beauty, the theme is of a woman dancing and playing a musical instrument. Typically cameos are oval in shape, consisting of a portrait in profile carved in relief on a background of different colors. See below Provident's dancing ladies cameo bracelet set in 14k gold.

That wraps it up for this week. I hope you have enjoyed reading and I always love to hear your comments and feedback. Ciao' for now and make it a sparkling day......

Roberto Coin Fancy Colored Diamond Cuff

Gucci 18k White & Pink Gold "Flora Necklace"

14k Yellow Gold Ladies Dancing Cameo Bracelet

The arrival to San Diego, CA, sunshine and palm trees.....

I arrived in San Diego, CA, on Friday, 13th, picked up my rental car, then immediately headed to the Carlsbad, GIA campus. Greeted at the admin’s office by a lovely young woman who had me fill out paperwork.  Just reading the orientation questions was a long laborious process, almost as lengthy as buying a home.  I met instructor, Tim, in room #207, where my class will be held Monday.  He showed me which desk would be mine. There was another student in the room at the

time, Derek, who it turns out, is also from Southwest Florida.  His family owns a jewelry store in Cape Coral.  I noticed the 3 HUGE 3 ring binders and many other spiral notebooks on my desk.  I asked Tim what these were, and to my surprise, this was the course material. Wow, I thought, they aren’t joking here. At that moment I realized I had not prepared myself for what I was actually embarking on. Truly I thought I would breeze into school, learn a little, meet new people, look at some gems and be on my merry way…..

Tim reviewed the course expectations, probation, homework for Monday & campus rules.  I realized this journey is more serious than I anticipated. Thank God I had the weekend to get myself prepared and mentally ready for the experience.

Monday morning I arrive at campus, got to class and what a lovely surprise; my instructor is Lea, who I previously had as an instructor two years ago in Pearl Grading.  At the end of my Pearl Grading course in 2014, Lea & I spoke about my getting my GG. Last I knew, she was going to the GIA Thailand campus to teach over there for several years. Lea is a dynamic woman, an amazing instructor and previously, a professional skydiver in Florida. So what a total treat to reconnect and have the opportunity to be in her class again.

At GIA, the courses are run in a methodical and structured way, easing the sometimes tedious process of learning, for a creative mind like myself.  We were informed that by the end of the 4 months we would have completed a grading for 1,860 stones. That to me sounds daunting, but I keep telling myself, “Maryann you only have to do this one day at a time”.  In the first week we completed 20 stones, learning about hue, tone & saturation.  Hue is the first impression of a gem’s body color. Tone means degree of darkness or lightness of color. Saturation is the strength or intensity of color. These are technical terms to describe a stone’s color accurately. There were many interesting colors, shapes & sizes throughout the week.  This is the part I enjoy the most, because I get to see, touch & feel the stones.

My favorite stone of the week was a rectangular step cut bi-colored tourmaline. Bi color means it has two different colors in the same stone, a technical term to describe it would be intentional color zoning. I fell in love with the stone from the moment I saw her. She was long, slender in length with a gradual color change. The body color was pure and rich in hue, a beautiful green with the perfect color pink. Her tone was medium to dark consistently distributed throughout the stone. Then finally, the saturation was just yummy, both colors being strong and intense. This is a stone I would love to have, designing with it would be a thrill.

Below is a ring from the Provident Jewelry Collection that is in the Tourmaline family that I thought you all might like to see.

This 18k yellow gold estate Tourmaline totaling 3.00 carats and Diamond weight is 2.40 carats ring. She is absolutely stunning in my book when it comes to rings. The color of this tourmaline is so vibrant and eye catching and believe me, everyone will notice this on your hand! Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information about this fabulous ring.

What a lovely, tiring and exciting week. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and until next week!