GracefulDesigns' Blog
Graceful Designs
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Tibetan Jewelry
Published: 05-16-2012 05:27pm
The pendant in this piece was made using a technique known as repoussé and chasing on brass. This primitive technique of jewelry making has been used since 3
century BC . The artisans are very skilled and
their skills has been passed down from their forefathers using only hand tools.
Repoussé is a metalworking technique which
is shaped by hammering from the reverse side of
metal
sheet. While repoussé is used to work on the reverse of the metal to
form a raised design on the front, chasing is used to refine the design
on the front of the work by sinking the metal. The motifs and designs
are created ... » Read More
Egyptian Ankh Pendant
Published: 05-16-2012 03:05am
The Ankh
A Symbol of Eternal LifeThe ankh is the Egyptian hieroglyphic character that means .
The ankh appears frequently in ancient Egyptian writing. The combination of two universal symbols, the cross and the circle; also evokes images of the sun rising over the
horizon, indicating daily rebirth.... » Read More
Mother of Pearl Fringe Disk Bib Necklace
Published: 05-16-2012 02:58am
What a pleasant surprise.... This necklace was featured on the weekly Beadditudes with Dara, along with other bib style necklaces. www.beadinpath.com/index.php/Weekly-Beadditudes-with-Dara/the-bib-necklace.html... » Read More
Fossilized Coral
Published: 05-16-2012 02:58am
Fossil coral is a natural stone that is formed when ancient coral is gradually replaced with agate. The proper name for this material is agatized coral or agatized fossil coral.
Agatized fossil coral can exhibit a wide range of natural colors, ranging from white and pink to brown, gray, black, yellow and red. Corals may vary widely within a single stone depending on weathering and oxidation and it's original mineral content.... » Read More
"Artfire Collections"
Published: 05-16-2012 02:57am
This necklace was featured in one of the Artfire collections titled
"Drusy Dreams"... » Read More
Druzy Agate
Published: 05-15-2012 06:27pm
Drusy crystals went unnoticed in the jewelry world until recently. The appeal for Drusy Quartz jewelry is becoming popular. They are rated at 7 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness and is best suited for pendants, brooches, and earrings.
Drusy's are gemstones with a natural surface texture much like fine sugar crystals that form on the Quartz by the phenomena known as micro-crystalline facets. The size and evenness of the crystal coverage are both important value factors when determining their quality and worth.
Drusy Quartz can be cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft brush. As with most gemstones, Drusy Quartz should be kept... » Read More
Dalmatian Jasper
Published: 05-15-2012 06:27pm
Dalmatian Jasper
Found
in Mexico this ivory white gemstone is speckled with black and greenish
black dots, resembling the coat of a Dalmatian dog. Sometimes called
Spotted Jasper this stone is highly recommended for veterinarians and
those that work with healing animals. Jasper will calm the animals, reassuring them
that they are safe. You can use this Jasper to cleanse your aura and rid yourself of
energies that are interfering with your spiritual growth.
Jasper is
found in the US in Kansas, South Dakota & the Southwest. Around the
world, treasured specimens are mined in Germany, Russia, China, Italy
& the Arabian Desert.
... » Read More
Tiger Eye
Published: 05-15-2012 06:12pm
Tiger's Eye
is found in a variety of colors, all of which originate from the
Crocidolite within the gem. This Iron rich silicate begins as a blue
mineral. Because of extreme heat during Tiger's Eye growth cycle the
Iron frequently oxidizes. This results in the familiar golden color you
normally associate with Tiger's Eye. Heavily oxidized specimens will be
a very dark red color. The rarest Tiger's Eye are the blue, where the
Crocidolite retained its original color, in spite of the geological
drama it has endured.
Other
colors occur in Tiger's Eye as well. Grayish specimens result from
Crocidolite that had very little Iron or l... » Read More
Picasso Jasper
Published: 05-15-2012 06:11pm
Jasper can be found in nearly any color of the rainbow. It often contains
organic material, which gives it unique patterns, bands, and colors.
Many say that these patterns resemble landscapes with mountains and
valleys. It is said that Jasper provides grounding and protection
against negativity.
Found worldwide, a
wide variety of named jaspers is found in the western areas of the
Unites States; California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and
Washington.
Picture jasper is a silicate mud that dripped into gas pockets in molten
lava. It became superheated and then solidified forming the
unusual banded patterns which are typical ... » Read More
Malachite Pendant
Published: 05-15-2012 05:57pm
Malachite is a carbonate mineral normally known as "copper carbonate". It's banded light and dark green design are one of a kind and make it very popular. The distinctive bands make it easy to recognize and a unique ornamental stone.... » Read More
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