Rock Appreciation Day and News-

Posted on May 2, 2013 by TheStrayArrow

For this double Rock Appreciation Day we have…

TOURMALINE & EMERALD GEMSTONES

Tourmaline is one of the most varied gemstones out there. It ranks a 7-7.5 on the hardness scale, and can come transparent to opaque, in any colour (colourless to black). The tourmaline gem is actually a group of mineral species, but because some of these minerals vary with varying colours, they are simply termed “tourmaline”. Because there are so many colours, tones, and opacities to tourmaline, it can be mistaken easily and is usually termed solely by colour. There are many different varieties, for instance bi-colour, watermelon, chrome, etc. Rubellite tourmaline is a very rare type that was often mistaken for rubies in Russian crown jewels of the past. Tourmaline can hail from many places, including the USA, Russia, Sri Lanka, Africa, Brazil, Australia, and so on. Tourmaline has strong pleochroism, which means you can see different colours or depths of colour when viewed at different angles, such as when you rotate the stone in the light. Different varieties tend to have different clarities. Those of the blue/green variety can be eye clean, while the pinks of reds of the spectrum almost always have eye-visible inclusions. Tourmaline can come natural, or is sometimes heat-treated to bring out colour depth.

Tourmaline is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric. If a specimen is put under a pressure or temperature change, it will generate an electrical charge (how cool is that!?). When this happens, dust particles become attached to the crystal ends. For a long time tourmaline was known in Europe as aschentrekker (ash puller) as the stone was used by the Dutch to pull the ash out of their meerschaum tobacco pipes.

EMERALD:

May birthstone, ranking a 7.5-8 on the MOH’s hardness scale. Personally one of my all time favourites… but being a May baby with green as a favourite colour, I’m biased. The colour of emerald (aka ‘emerald green’) is so unique it earns its status as one of the four “traditional” precious gemstones, along with diamond, ruby, and sapphire. The colour of emeralds is caused by small amounts of chromium and vanadium. It is in the Beryl family, and is essentially just the highest quality of beryl that can come transparent to opaque. Emerald is a particularly brittle gem. Natural emeralds almost always have inclusions and should be handled more gently. They are also almost always treated with oils, resins, or waxes. Exceptions are made for this treatment and for inclusions more than other gemstones. Inclusions and flaws are not always seen as negative, and can be an assurance that the gem is natural. Quality is determined by colour, and occasionally geographical origin. Emeralds can come from Africa, India, Russia, Brazil, Peru, among other places. Columbia is the center for mining emeralds, and South America in general produces the highest qualities. There a many stories and myths circling the emerald. The Egyptians mined it near the Red Sea, and it was said to be a favourite of Cleopatra. The Aztecs and the Incas both collected and valued emeralds, possibly regarding them as symbols for good luck and foresight.

************************************************************************

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS:

My work load has become exceptionally large, and I can no longer be accepting any custom orders from May through the end of July. Unless I have already started conversations with you regarding a project, I simply don’t have the extra time for them right now. This doesn’t include “made to order” items. Essentially what is listed in the Etsy Shops is what’s available. This hiatus does not apply to wholesale or consignment orders.

A congratulations to the two winners of my Instagram Giveaway! For those of you unfamiliar with the application, you can do a little snooping and follow me @thestrayarrow, or check updates by clicking on the photo below.

LAST BIT OF NEWS:

10% OFF ALL OF MAY!

For the entire month in the Main Shop, there is a 10% off deal on your order with the coupon code in the photo below. PLEASE do not forget to apply the code at purchase. I cannot issue refunds for those that forget to do so. Enjoy!

Merry May all!

xx Stray Arrow

Preview Day

Posted on October 12, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

A few new items will be hitting the main shop over the weekend. They feature my favourite group of goodies: turquoise, wampum, emeralds, and koroit opal! I’m still recovering from being sick, so production has slowed a bit. For all custom and “made to order” items taking a little while longer, don’t fret! Your lovelies have not been forgotten, they’ll be with you soon ❤

First up we have a darling little size 5 koroit boulder opal ring from Queensland, Australia. The opal has been set in a gold fill bezel and blackened silver ring design. Nice and simple to highlight the awesome flash of this rock. The electric royal blue looks like lightning on dark bark, and what really sets this piece apart is the opal matrix in the center of the stone is clear! At the right angle you can see straight through.

Next up we have two turquoise rings. These both tie into my Romantics theme of poetry quotes, Autumn, and the Southwest. The size 7 3/4 Hour by Hour ring features a rounded triangle cut of ribbon Royston turquoise. On the outside of the ring band lies the quote, “Dead leaves scatter, hour by hour”. This is from Oscar Wilde’s, “Impressions, I Le Jardin”. The second size 6 3/4-7 Tracks in Dusk ring features two different coloured old stock turquoise pieces from the Kings Manassa mine. They resemble abstract animal tracks. The quote on the inside of the ring band reads, “Braided dusks of the oaks“. This is from Sidney Lanier’s, “The Marshes of Glynn”.

Also coming to the shop are two new wampum pieces. I’ve made little genuine wampum post earrings that resemble the “Evil Eye”. These beautifully high grade plum wampum pieces have delicious bands of purple and white. They are set within gold fill bezels and blackened silver borders for some moody contrast. The Wampum Charms Shield Necklace features a grand piece of wampum as the main pendant. Accompanying it are deep green faceted emerald gems, a sweet little 4mm ruby, a natural old stock Cerillos Mine turquoise stone, and little hand sawed leaf shapes within the silver chain.

Check back in the shop this coming weekend!

xxStray Arrow

The Woodlands…

Posted on September 20, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

Last weekend I was able to go the Intertribal powwow I attend every Fall. This year, I had a grand surprise-a vendor had a large amount of drilled, cut and polished wampum! I picked out several pairs and some with double holes for necklaces. All that you see below is all that there’ll be! The man who carved this wampum is no longer able to do so~

From these beautiful pieces I have made a few earrings. I’ve noticed that, on the whole, only the most exquisite of turquoise grades are used in gold jewelry. There is hardly any turquoise or wampum jewelry out there that pairs with gold or gemstones. This is a minor start to turning this around, as some wampum and turquoise is just as nice as all those fancy diamonds *in my humble opinion*. These two pairs of shoulder duster earrings swing low and loud. They have lush plum wampum, delectable green emeralds, and blackened silver chains for a unique high end look.

Other goods coming to the Etsy shop are mini cuties in the ever popular Rustic Arrow genre. They include a Triple Arrow Chevron stacker ring made to order in your size, and sweet little Arrow Vane chevron studs.

Three gemstone stackers will be joining the Woodlands pieces. Natural sapphires do not always come in blues. The rose cut gems in these sparkle in brilliant white, lazy soft yellow, and fierce cadmium hues. Set within true 14k yellow gold bezels, the sterling backings and bands have been darkened for the ultimate contrast and rustic appeal. Ready to go in US sizes 4 3/4, 6, and 7. Not your size? Just ask for a custom one, I have more on hand! For those with upcoming events, or those who just need any excuse to dote on themselves, there are the Black Needle Dangles. These post earrings feature hand sawed and textured leaf shapes with dangling black tourmalinated teardrop rutile quartz gemstones. They have a rich, subtle, and all around elegant feel to them.

COMING TO THE ETSY SHOP TOMORROW & SATURDAY

xx Stray Arrow

Preview Pieces for Tuesday’s Shop Update!

Posted on January 29, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

Time for a sneak peak! These newbies shall hit the shop Tuesday afternoon…

A touch of gemmy greenery will embellish the shop with the “Emerald Sweet Heart” ring, featuring a rose cut faceted emerald gemstone and mini silver heart on oxidized sterling band….currently in a size 5, can be sized up to a 6 or “made to order” in your own size!

And of course, what would an update be without a vast amount of turquoise pieces? The Green Grasses No. 2 ring features a huge stunning green piece from the Crow Springs Mine:

Another beauty from the Crow Springs Mine features a strange and unusual deeper teal colour: the Ocean Bird Turquoise Ring, with feathered band stampings:

The White Sands-Buffalo Turquoise Ring features a grand ribbon cut piece of turquoise from…you guessed it! the White Buffalo Mine of Nevada. It reminds me of all the old beach stones I’m sure most of us collected as children…

In addition to the recent Thunderbird necklace, I’ve added another little guy to the “TOTEM” collection: a turtle! The Turtle Totem necklace features a freeform piece of Kingman Mine turquoise, and to match the cutie pie-a turtle totem ring! The ring has a piece of Royston turquoise as his shell. The ring is a size 6.5, but I will be offering custom turtles with stones of your choosing in your own size once listed on Etsy!