Peridot, spinel and sardonyx are the 3 birthstones for August. Peridot is known for being formed under extreme conditions as it’s found in the hardened lava that carried it from deep within Earth’s mantle as well as in meteorites that traveled from outer space. The spinel birthstone was under appreciated until recently, as today’s consumers look for an alternative to ruby, a gem with which red spinel was mistaken for centuries. Sardonyx is the original August Birthstone, with a history that dates back more than 4,000 years.
JULY BIRTHSTONE
Ruby is the July birthstone and it’s one of the most coveted gems. The name is derived from the Latin word ruber, meaning red, the color of love and passion. Few things catch the eye like the ruby birthstone. The finest color of the this birthstone is a deep red with a hint of purple, it’s called “pigeon’s blood” in the trade. A variety of the mineral corundum, ruby gets its color from trace amounts of the element chromium. The more chromium, the stronger the color red.
JASPER EARTHSTONE
One of my favorite stones is jasper and there are many types to be found. I recently acquired a beautifully patterned leopardskin jasper stone, cut by hand from a very talented lapidary artist. I bezel set a magnificent oval stone in fine and sterling silver and paired it with picture jasper beads which were the perfect compliment. t
An earth stone .
A recently completed necklace made of lepord jasper and beaded picture jasper.
GARDEN HARVEST
This year, my garden rewarded me with the most spectacular light burgundy, cascading amaranth. I’ve tried to grow this elegant annual for many years and the results have been meager.
Threads of burgundy tuftlike “pearls” drape downward on flexible stems and terminate in elegant spirals. This beautiful plant is an annual and it comes in several colors including green, pink, deep burgundy and white. One is more beautiful than the other.
I’ve harvested this amaranth and have been drying it for future use. It’s guaranteed to make a breathtaking display.
Burgundy amaranths from my garden
Cascading amaranthus with roses and greenery.
Green cascading amaranth used in a formal table setting
SOME NEW BRACELETS
I’m posting some bracelets that I’ve completed over the course of the past year. All four were skill building challenges and have expanded the scope the practice of my metalsmith skills.
From left to right; sailors chain bracelet, an ancient type of loop in loop chain; center are two rigid link bracelets which include unique hand-made, sterling silver embellishments and orange carnelian beads. Far right piece is a hinged bracelet that consists of several sterling silver panels that are imprinted with a leaf and vine pattern and then patinated to enhance the pattern. All the panels are connected with hinges.
JUNE BIRTHSTONE
The month of June has 3 birthstones. The choices are alexandrite, pearl, and alexandrite. (Alexandrite happens to be the stone often used to celebrate a 55th wedding anniversary.)
Why not one of each, after all it’s your birthday!
MAY BIRTHSTONE
The gemstone for May is the emerald. It is a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune and youth. Emerald, derived from the word “smaragdus” means literally green in Greek.
Emeralds were mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC. Egyptians used the gem in both jewelry and burying stones with monarchs as symbols of protection. Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical person to cherish the gemstone. The oldest emerald are estimated to be almost 3 billion years old.
Like diamonds and other gemstones, emeralds are judged according to the 4 C’s, clarity, color, karat and cut. Vibrancy of color and saturation are valued factors.
WOMENS' HISTORY MOnth
March is Womens’ History month. Government agencies, such as the Library of Congress, National Archives, The National Endowment for the Humanities to name just a few, join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
The clickable link below give a preview of some of the women being honored this year.
East End Arts Council celebrated women in “The Printmaker’s Feast: Celebrating Women in ART” Search eastendarts on Instagram to see a reel on their celebration.
Elizabeth Catlett, Links Together, 1996, lithograph on Arch paper.
MARCH BIRTHSTONE
Aquamarine and bloodstone are the two birthstones for March.
Aquamarine overview: In color, aquamarine is reminiscent of sky and sea and is associated with those qualities. In addition to being a March birthstone, some sources mention that aquamarine is the gem of choice for a 19th wedding anniversary gift. In 1936 the government of Brazil gave First Lady Elenor Roosevelt a dark blue, rectangular step cut gem that weighed 1,298 carats! In 1947 the gem was donated to the Franklin Roosevelt Presidential Library, located in Hyde Park, upstate New York. Click on this link to look further: https://fdr.blogs.archives.gov/2012/11/27/from-the-museum-45/
Bloodstone Overview: Bloodstone is a type of chalcedony, which is a form of quartz. It has vivid red spots and veins, generally from iron oxide and hemotite. The amount of chlorite particles affects how green the stone is. Good quality bloodstone is characterized by a solid green color with visible veins of red. There are 2 forms of bloodstone: heliotrope, which is more transparent with red spots, and plasma, which is more opaque and has little or no red spots. It is generally found embedded in rocks and riverbeds as pebbles. Primary sources for this gemstone are India, Brazil and Australia.
Blood stone may not have the visible beauty of aquamarine but it is valued for its symbolism and other properties. Bloodstone is called a heliotrope, a word from ancient Greek that means “to turn the sun.” Many believe it was named as such because of how minerals reflect light. In fact, some believed that the sun itself would turn red if this gemstone was put into water. It is also believed that the first bloodstone was formed when Christ’s blood dripped at the foot of the cross, staining jasper that turned to bloodstone.
Aquamarine gem gifted to Elenor Roosevelt by the Brazilian government.
A JOURNEY IN CLAY
This month the Charles B. Wang Center presents Spring 2025 Cultural Programs. There is a diverse offering of programs that include lectures, films, flower arranging, bonsai workshops and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Wang Center is located on the campus of SUNY Stony Brook.
One exhibition of interest is “Cycles Of Clay, The Ceramic Narrative of Sunk Yuh.” The opening reception is this Friday, March 7th with a lecture to follow. Admission is free.
“Cycles OF Clay explores the profound creative process of Sunk Yuh, an artist who navigates the intersections of cultural heritage and contemporary expression. The exhibition is curated by Jinyoung A. Jin, the director of Asian art and culture at the Charles B. Wang Center.
For more on this exhibition and other offerings at the Wang Center go to their web site at www.thewangcenter.org.
TRUTH AND COURAGE
The gorgeous stone in this ring is amazonite. It is in the feldspar species of semiprecious gems. Other gems in this diverse group of minerals include labradorite, moonstone, sunstone, to name a few. It is mined in Brazil, Canada, India, Madagascar and the US.
Amazonite is said to have the attributes of truth and courage and it relates to the throat chakra. To describe it one might say it ranges in color from green to bluish-green, often with whiteish cloud-like streaks. Some sources mention that ammonite was a favorite of ancient Egyptians and that inlays were found in Tutankhamen’s death mask.
Making this ring did take lots of courage. Things did not go as planned, at all. This stone then, and its meaning was a fitting choice for the challenge it presented in making it. I took a “devil may care” approach while working this ring. It was a very satisfying. By pushing limits and put fear and perfection aside I learned lots. I value the journey and rich experience above all else.
An uncut piece of amazonite.
FEBRUARY BIRTHSTONE,
If you were born in February, amethyst is your birthstone. For more information on this beautiful gem stone click on this link https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/february-birthstones
Amethyst faceted gem stone with crystal behind. Images from GIA.
JANUARY BIRTHSTONE, GARNETS
Ring in the new year with, garnets, even if it’s not your birthday!
DECEMBER BIRTH STONE
Those with December birthdays have 3 lush stones to choose from; turquoise, tanzanite and zircon.These are all such beautiful gems, turquoise and zircon being my personal favorites.
For more information on all these gorgeous gems, click on the link below:
PS. I just purchased a piece of Hubie turquoise, similar in pattern to the stone on the far left. I can’t wait to work with it in the near future!
SNAKE RING
This sterling silver coiled snake ring has a bit of whimsy and mischief about it. It was as much fun to make as it is to wear. It can be found wrapped up in holiday paper and bows, nestled under someone’s Christmas tree, patiently waiting to be worn. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
CRESCENT MOON EARRING
The definition of serendipity is good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries. Fluke, good fortune, good luck and stroke of luck also are apply. Serendipity can be a wonderful thing in the studio.
Such is the case with the crescent moon earrings I recently created (in the image below.) I was busy at my rolling mill, applying a gorgeous texture to a sheet of silver. The impression material slipped while applying the necessary huge amount of pressure to imprint the metal. The result was a smooth crescent moon shape on the edge of the silver, next to the textured pattern.
Happy accidents can lead to beautiful discoveries and creations. Now the question is, how can I recreate this beautiful discovery? I may not be able to and that’s the beauty of one of a kind handmade jewelry.
Crescent moon earrings
Indian leaf and vine domed earrings with turquoise.
NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE
November offers 2 choices of stones to chose from to celebrate your November, topaz and citrine.
A citrine cabochon on my bench ready to be set
https://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones/november-birthstones/topaz-overview/
DECK THE HALLS AT GALLERY NORTH
It's hard to believe the holiday season is upon us already. Gallery North once again is displaying small, original works by local talent. I’m proud to have a pair of my handmade earring included in this festive show.
Mark and I will be at the reception on November 14th. It’s a fun way to start the season and see some really lovely crafts and fine are. Hope you’ll stop by if you're in the area.
a pair of my handmade kinetic earrings with turquoise bead .
For more information click on this link. https://gallerynorth.org/pages/deckthehalls.
SEEDHEAD FLOWER FARM
Seedhead Flower Farm is a unique dried flower enterprise located in rural Accord, New York. Entrapaneaur Faye Forman wears many hats in her one person business. She is artist, designer and flower gardener.
For her creations Faye taps into local resources she scavenges in the Hudson Valley. She collects native grasses, drys them and mixes them with cultivated flowers she grows specifically for drying purposes.
Faye’s creations include wreathes for all seasons, flower crowns for all occasions, wedding arches, boutonnieres, dried arrangements and more.
Faye has recently begun to offer workshops. Participoants learn the craft of making their own crown under Faye’s tutelage. Her recent flower crown workshop at Arrowood Farm Brewery in Accord was a sell out and was enjoyed by all.
Faye’s love of gardening runs deep in her blood and has deep family roots. It dates back to her Ukrainian great-grandfather, Harry who immigrated from the Ukraine. Harry supported his family as a WPA gardiner (Work Project Administration) during the depression.
You can follow Seedhead flower farm on Instagram at @seedhead_flowerfarm
Faye in her flower garden.
Groom and Bride modeling their flower crowns made at Seedhead.
Outdoor wedding arch ready for the big day.
Autumn wedding boutonnière.
FLOWER CROWN WORKSHOP AT ARROWOOD BREWERY
FAYE, CENTER , & PARTICIPANTS MODELS FLOWER CROWN WORKSHOP CREATIONS.
Flower crown workshop at Arrowood Farm Brewery.
Flower crown workshop at Arrowood Farm Brewery.
Follow on Instagram at seedhead_flowerfarm
TEXTURED THUMB RING
The thumb is often overlooked when it comes to adornment. I designed a ring to celebrate this digit.
The low relief surface of the tall ring shank features a delicate branch and leaf pattern that winds its way around the sterling silver band. It is highlighted against the darken patina background.
Contact me here on my blog Contact Page for inquiries.
