July’s Topic Is: 

“What are you good at? 
(how did you get that way?)”



What a great topic – I like to tell people that my super power is connecting people….to people they have always wanted to meet and to people they had no idea they needed in their lives….

How did I get this way?   don’t know – but I am a “people person” that helps!


Connecting a Jewelry Designer with a Gem Dealer….






Connecting my blog readers with the new and rare….




Introducing an Industry writer to relevant Jewelry Designers, Gem Dealers and Gemstone Miners….


…and introducing a Jewelry Designer to an Industry Author.

*So what is this new “blog-o-Sphere” thing?  Formed by Andes Cruz…

“I formed a group of friends who blog  [I’ve titled it the ” Blog-o-sphere think tank” Group.] ; from all different areas of life, to do a ‘once a month’ ‘blog circle’, or ‘blog carnival’ type thing, if you will. Anyway, we get together once a month, and all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at the same time, on the 20th of each month.  I personally find it interesting to read everyone’s thoughts on an idea or topic. It’s fun, light, and gets your mind going. Everyone has a different ideas; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, it’s fun!!!  I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!”


{ 0 comments }


BlueCap Productions Announces Release of 

“Pederneira: A Rainbow of Colors”  DVD

For the past year the number one most asked question that we’ve received at BlueCap Productions is, “when is the Pederneria video going to come out??”




As you may recall, the DVD was originally supposed to come out in the Jan/Feb 2015edition of the Mineralogical Record. That was the fantastic Pederneira! issue that sold out almost immediately. At the last minute we called to, “stop the presses” on the DVD as new things were happening down at the mine and we wanted to make sure the final film would be as accurate as possible.

Since then we’ve been doing more filming, more photography and more editing until, finally, we were able to put the finishing touches on the project last week. The film is now at the duplicators and the finished DVDs will be shipping out soon!!!

All subscribers to the Mineralogical Record have received the DVD, compliments of Fine Minerals International, in their May/June 2016 issue. Once those issues start hitting the streets, we’ll have the DVDs available for sale to all non-subscribers or subscribers wanting a second copy. In addition to this, when the DVDs go on sale, we’ll also have a Digital HD version of the movie available for immediate streaming and/or download (click this link for a preview).

BlueCap’s Bryan Swoboda said. “I can not express how happy I am that we’re finally able to share this film with everyone. We began working on this film almost 6 years ago and the final result is a film that, to me, is the greatest culmination of hard work, passion and story-telling that I’ve ever had to honor to work on at BlueCap.”


“I owe such a debt of gratitude to Daniel Trinchillo for giving me the opportunity to tell this story and for giving me unprecedented access to everything I needed to make this film possible.

I’m so very excited for this release and I hope all of you enjoy watching the film almost as much as I enjoyed making it.”

For a preview – click here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/pederneira

{ 0 comments }

Jewelry Making Daily Wants YOU to Learn To Make Wire Jewelry! #JewelryMakingDaily

June 25, 2016

Learning how to make wire jewelry is a must – you only need a few basic wire-wrapping tools, your wire, and any gemstones or beads you may like to include.

Expand your repertoire when working with wire, learn to create hammered designs, use coils and spirals, jump rings, wire wrap, and see how new techniques like wire wrapping can create intricate wire designs to showcase your favorite stones. Experiment with these techniques and enjoy the way they start transforming your wire designs.  To start you off, you’ll find an easy wire jewelry making project below that focuses on how to make wire bracelets.

Click Jewelry Making Daily to link through to the original post on their website…



click photo to enlarge – Thank You to Katie Corder over at  Jewelry Making Daily
Check out their original post for a free download of 6 wire projects!
www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/how-to-make-wire-jewelry-wire-bracelets
Exclusive how to make wire jewelry patterns.
Read the full article →

Blog-o-sphere Think Tank: May’s topic: “What are you looking forward to?”

May 21, 2016

Can’t believe how late I am posting this but I really want to do this one!

What am I looking forward to?

Jewelry Week in Las Vegas!  

Where else can you find everything from incredible over the top emeralds from Takat at LUXURY by JCK….

OR  some of the incredible pieces at the Antique Jewelry & Watch Show…

To the fun unique looks from the Design Center at JCK….

,,,,and then there are the amazing designers of the Couture show…



This is what I’m looking forward to!



*So what is this new “blog-o-Sphere” thing?  Formed by Andes Cruz…
I formed a group of friends who blog  [I’ve titled it the ” Blog-o-sphere think tank” Group.] ; from all different areas of life, to do a ‘once a month’ ‘blog circle’, or ‘blog carnival’ type thing, if you will. Anyway, we get together once a month, and all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at the same time, on the 20th of each month.  I personally find it interesting to read everyone’s thoughts on an idea or topic. It’s fun, light, and gets your mind going. Everyone has a different ideas; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, it’s fun!!!  I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!



Read the full article →

#BlogosphereThinkTank April’s Topic: "Favorite Songs – and why?"

April 20, 2016

OK – this is truly difficult – to save you from list after list I think it might be easier to talk about my “Music Moods” and how they relate to my Playlists on Spotify:

1. In A Depeche Mode:  Almost anytime of day I could listen to ANYTHING from Depeche Mode definitely my favorite group – however within that broad category I think that the words in Somebody have something everyone can relate to.   Blasphemous Rumors works me through my more cynical moments.

Lyrics & Sample



2. A Little Mose In Your Ear:  Awesome Jazz – you have to be in the mood to listen to the words making this a PERFECT car karaoke playlist – my FAVE “Your Mind Is On Vacation”

Lyrics & Sample


3. For daily listening I tend to a mix of Blues, Jazz, Rock, with a little Rockabilly topper and my all time FAVs are the Blasters (I knew most of them from other groups) – a personal favorite is Flip Flop and Fly

Lyrics & Sample

4.  Working It Out:  Don’t we all have a favorite workout playlist?  Mine is pretty eclectic – BOB by Outkast – One Step Beyond by Madness – Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire – Boom Boom Pow by Black Eye Peas…this stuff isn’t really about the words – it’s more about the beat….

Lyrics & Sample


5.  Guitar: It Makes Me Happy – I write for a living but complete silence is disturbing to me (I never claimed to be sane), my go to is jazz guitar – calm but not sleep inducing.  Some of my FAVs – Joe Pass – Django Reinhardt – Les Paul – and I never tire of Wes Montgomery ‘s Misty!

Lyrics & Sample

OK – I really only wanted to do 5 – BUT….this one’s for the Girls…

6.  Angry Chick List – we all have those times when we need to let it out….Alanis Morrisette – PINK – Marianne Faithful – Miley Cyrus – come on….shout it out!   ….careful these can include some dicey lyrics.

Lyrics & Sample

*So what is this new “Blog-O-Sphere” thing?
Andes Kate formed a group of friends who blog  [titled the ” Blog-o-sphere think tank” Group.] ; “from all different areas of life, to do a ‘once a month’ ‘blog circle’, or ‘blog carnival’ type thing, if you will. Anyway, we get together once a month, and all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at the same time, on the 20th of each month.  I personally find it interesting to read everyone’s thoughts on an idea or topic. It’s fun, light, and gets your mind going. Everyone has a different ideas; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, it’s fun!!!  I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!”

Please visit this month’s other group members:
WATTO (Mary Spenser Watson) http://www.wattoonline.com/news
Catherine Witherell:  http://happydayart.typepad.com
K.Skiles Studio: http://kaskiles.com
Tosca Teran: http://www.nanopod.me
Read the full article →

#BlogosphereThinkTank February’s topic: "What are the top 5 things on your mind?"

February 20, 2016


OK – THE TOP FIVE THINGS ON MY MIND ARE…

First thoughts…I think we are going to find that all five things will lead back to the number one thing…maybe you are a lot like me?  A hundred things to do but the first thing that gets done is the first thing in front of your face. I always tell people just remind me – I’m serious! …but of course they think they’ll bug me…so – I do the first thing I see!  

OK – now you know WAY too much about me!


1. Every thing thought or deed all have one common factor – they need someone to act!



2.        I need to bring in one more client – now to get the proposals out that I promised in Tucson!

3.        The results of my brainstorming with Brad and getting the thoughts accomplished – maybe I need to write a step by step to get me to write the step by step I promised him?




4.       My Bank!!!   …you don’t want to know!


5.        My boyfriend’s upcoming surgery….this hip replacement is going to be an extremely long recovery….




*So what is this new “Blog-O-Sphere” thing?
I formed a group of friends who blog  [I’ve titled it the ” Blog-o-sphere think tank” Group.] ; from all different areas of life, to do a ‘once a month’ ‘blog circle’, or ‘blog carnival’ type thing, if you will. Anyway, we get together once a month, and all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at the same time, on the 20th of each month.  I personally find it interesting to read everyone’s thoughts on an idea or topic. It’s fun, light, and gets your mind going. Everyone has a different ideas; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, it’s fun!!!  I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!



Please visit this month’s other group members:
WATTO (Mary Spenser Watson) http://www.wattoonline.com/news
Catherine Witherell:  http://happydayart.typepad.com
K.Skiles Studio: http://kaskiles.com
Tosca Teran: http://www.nanopod.me
Read the full article →

#Holiday #HolidayGift Perfect Gift For Your Favorite #Rockhound or #GemGeek

December 7, 2015

One of my favorite go-to’s is the Amethyst Soaps shop on Etsy….so whether you need a Holiday gift, or even a Raffle item for your next Gem Show, at right around $20 these soaps are a novelty, a conversation starter…and good for your skin.

Soap:  Tumbled Turquoise Soap or Amethyst Crystal Soap

Overview

  • Handmade item
  • Materials: pure glycerine soap, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, neroli oil, cinnamon essential oil, peony fragrance oil, freshly ground cinnamon and orange peel, soap grade colorants, and occasionally a bit of copper flake
  • Ships worldwide from United States

Amethyst Crystal Soap™ is hand crafted pure glycerine soap. A gentle exfoliating soap. Each bath and body bar is hand carved to duplicate amethyst crystals. It is lightly scented with White Tea and Sandalwood, with a hint of lavender essential oil. Produces a gentle lather. It is truly a functional work of art. Available in 1 oz, 2oz, 3oz, 4oz, and 6oz. pieces. 

Tumbled Turquoise Soap™ passes through many stages to become the exquisite bar of exfoliating luxury soap that it is. It starts as pure glycerine soap to which Shea butter, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, and neroli oil are added. It is scented with cinnamon essential oils and a hint of peony fragrance oil. For natural exfoliating, Tumbled Turquoise Soap™ contains freshly ground cinnamon and freshly ground orange peel. Available in 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 oz pieces.
Read the full article →

#TrunkShow "Meet the Designer" Event featuring Randy Polk of Randy Polk Designs

October 17, 2015

“Meet the Designer” Event featuring Randy Polk of Randy Polk DesignsThis weekend, Friday through Sunday, October 15-17, we will have nationally recognized jewelry designer Randy Polk, of Randy Polk Designs, in our new store for a “trunk show” and …

Read the full article →

Congrats, Gemologist Diana Jarrett Takes Top Place in Writers Competition

October 4, 2015

DIANA JARRETT EARNS TOP PLACE 
IN WRITERS COMPETITION

Journalist Takes a Trio of Trophies 

Gemologist-Writer Diana Jarrett Earns Top Place in Writers Competition

Awards_May2015 (1) Well-known industry writer and gemologist Diana Jarrett gathered an armful of awards from the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies, Inc. for their Bulletin Editors Contest reports the New York Mineralogical Club. Jarrett is already a multi-award winning journalist to the trade and countless consumer publications.
This year’s awards included the top billing Trophy for Educational Articles-Advanced for her reportage of the legendary Russian jeweler Fabergé in “Uncovering Fabergé.” She also accepted Third Place Written Features award for her Bulgari retrospective, “A Dazzling Display”. Lastly, her annual coverage of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows, “What Went Down at Tucson” earning 5th Place in Non-Technical Articles division. 
Jarrett has been a prolific contributor to the trade and for luxury goods outlets for many years. Her distinctive approach and recognizable voice garners fans in North America and abroad. Jarrett’s adaptability to each audience is key to the wide range of publications that covet her contributions. From laboratory reports demanding accuracy in minute detail to her entertaining take on couture jewelry trends, Jarrett immerses herself in telling a story that resonates with her audience.
A decade long member of the New York Mineralogical Club (NYMC), founded by legendary gemologist George Frederick Kunz in the 19th century, her missives are also a staple in their NYMC Bulletin.
Learn more about Diana Jarrett or to contact her, visit her website: www.dianajarrett.com
via Press Release
Read the full article →

#InRetrospect – A Look Back – "Into the Oh! Zone" Tourmaline Of The Himalaya Mine

July 5, 2015

Reprint from the 2010 Issue of Pala Minerals “Minfermation February 2010”

http://www.palaminerals.com/news_2010_v1.php#palaminerals_feb

Mineral and Mineralogy News

Into the Oh! Zone

A study of Himalaya Mine tourmaline

American Mineralogist cover image

Color zoning in tourmaline is well known to enthusiasts of Southern California minerals. Pala’s Tourmaline Buying Guide includes a couple of lovely examples of the natural phenomenon.
Slices of bi-color “watermelon” tourmaline are the centerpieces around which jewelry creations are crafted. San Diego County’s Himalaya Mine, which has a role in our chronicle of Pala International’s 40 years in the trade, produced color-zoned tourmaline for more nearly the entire 20th century. This month, in the Mineralogical Society of America’s journal, American Mineralogist, a remarkable “strongly color-zoned crystal” from the Himalaya is amongst the mine’s specimens discussed at some length.
“Tourmaline of the elbaite-schorl series from the Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, California: A detailed investigation” (abstracted herehttp://ammin.geoscienceworld.org/content/95/1/24.abstract) is a study authored by an international group from Europe and the U.S.: Andreas Ertl, George R. Rossman, John M. Hughes, David London, Ying Wang, Julie A. O’Leary, M. Darby Dyar, Stefan Prowatke, Thomas Ludwig, and Ekkehart Tillmanns.

Tourmaline photo image
Black and white… and so much in between, from a black core of “oxy-schorl” to an icing of colorless fluor-elbaite. (Photo courtesy George R. Rossman, California Institute of Technology)

The study’s abstract discusses the rising, and sometimes falling, chemical profusions of elements in the color-zoned crystal, pictured above. Samples from the mine were investigated using a range of methods. The study concludes with a discussion of the formation of the tourmaline-bearing cavities in the Himalaya Mine’s dike.

Tourmaline photo image
Himalaya Mine tourmaline, above. A specimen typical of the mine’s fine production. Double-terminated, with cleavelandite and lepidolite. Three quarters pink with one termination a light cat’s eye green. See Inventory #14185.
Tourmaline from Burma, below. Two terminated tourmaline crystals on a matrix with cleavelandite and quartz. Bottom side has black tourmaline with diffuse color zoning similar to that discussed in the American Mineralogist study. From Letpanhla, Mandalay Division, Mandalay District, Burma. See Inventory #17393. (Photos: John McLean)
Tourmaline photo image
[back to top]
Read the full article →

WordPress Admin