Tag Archives: turquoise

Preview Night: The Humble Bee

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The Romantics Line is back with two new pieces! 

Two rings feature quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s, “The Humble Bee”. One line of water, one of land…:

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“Burly, dozing humble-bee,

Where thou art is clime for me.

Let them sail for Porto Rique,

Far-off heats through seas to seek;

I will follow thee alone,

Thou animated torrid-zone!

Zigzag steerer, desert cheerer,

Let me chase thy waving lines;

Keep me nearer, me thy hearer,

Singing over shrubs and vines.

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Insect lover of the sun,

Joy of thy dominion!

Sailor of the atmosphere;

Swimmer through the waves of air;

Voyager of light and noon;

Epicurean of June;

Wait, I prithee, till I come

Within earshot of thy hum,-

All without is matyrdom.

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When the south wind, in May days,

With a net of shining haze

Silvers the horizon wall,

And with softness touching all,

Tints the human countenance

With a colour of romance,

And infusing subtle heats,

Turns the sod to violets,

Thou, in sunny solitudes,

Rover of the Underwoods,

The green silence dost displace

With thy mellow, breezy bass.

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Hot midsummer’s petted crone,

Sweet to me thy drowsy tone

Tells of countless sunny hours,

Long days, and solid banks of flowers;

Of gulfs of sweetness without bound

In Indian wilderness found;

Of Syrian peace, immortal leisure,

Firmest cheer, and bird-like pleasure.

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Aught unsavory or unclean

Hath my insect never seen;

But violets and bilberry bells,

Maple-sap and daffodels,

Grass with green flag half-mast high,

Succory to match the sky,

Columbine with horn of honey,

Scented fern, and agrimony,

Clovers, catchfly, adder’s-tongue

And brier-roses, dwelt among;

All beside was unknown waste,

All was picture as he passed.

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Wiser far than human seer,

Yellow-breeched philosopher!

Seeing only what is fair,

Sipping only what is sweet,

Thou dost mock at fate and care,

Leave the chaff, and take the wheat.

When the fierce northwestern blast

Cools sea and land so far and fast,

Thou already slumberst deep;

Woe and want thou canst outsleep;

Want and woe, which torture us,

Thy sleep makes ridiculous.”

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Featuring a primo piece of Larimar stone, also called Dolphin stone.

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Featuring a beautiful and HUGE piece of Courtland Plume

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Also coming to the main Etsy shop http://www.TheStrayArrow.Etsy.com on Tuesday:

Sweet dark silver stacking rings highlighting gem like deep blue Kingman Mine turquoise stones!

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A bangle bracelet with a stunning sparkled cut of Australian Koroit Opal will be joining them. A couple other bracelet mainstays will be hitting the shop-including the unique and simple Bright & Dark Oval Silver Bangles. These blackened silver bracelets have oval flashes of silver for a haunting and elegant look.

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Check out the Etsy shop Tuesday for these plus a few more goodies-including another Romantics Line ring with a quote from Sidney Lanier’s, “The Marshes of Glynn“. 

xx Stray Arrow

Rock Appreciation Day!

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Today, read all about…..:

WHITE BUFFALO TURQUOISE.

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White Buffalo Turquoise comes solely from the White Buffalo Mine near Tonopah, Nevada. It is very popular, but very rare. There is a LOT of controversy as to whether this stone’s mineral make up actually constitutes it as “turquoise”. I have broken down this highlight blog post for this stone into a few sections…

[DISCLAIMER: I am not a lapidary (stone) artist, gemologist, mine owner, or any other kind of authority on gems, stones, or minerals. I am simply an enthusiast who likes to share the information I’ve gathered in my goal to attain the perfect rocks for my jewelry pieces].

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White Buffalo Turquoise & White Turquoise-NOT THE SAME:

White turquoise is extremely rare and comes from a few different mines, mainly in Nevada and Arizona. White turquoise is not actually “white”, but can be very VERY lightly coloured turquoise that comes in a variety of hues between the green and blue spectrum. A great example of what is classified as white turquoise can be seen in the Dry Creek Mine (also known as SACRED Buffalo Mine), or the White Stallion Mine. Actual “white” turquoise is so hard to find in quality jewelry because it is very low on the hardness scale and cannot take a good polish because it is so chalky (but it is not chalk turquoise!). This makes the stone low quality as a rule no matter how rare or beautiful. White buffalo turquoise is higher on the hardness scale than any chalk or white turquoise. It takes a great polish and is in actuality WHITE, or off-white due to it’s mix of black chert host rock.

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THE CONTROVERSY: Turquoise VS. White Buffalo

You will find many people claiming that White Buffalo Turquoise is NOT turquoise. This is why: Turquoise gets it’s blue and green hues from iron and copper which are all minerals found in your basic turquoise. White Buffalo turquoise is white because it lacks iron and copper. “No iron and copper? Not turquoise!”

            The white buffalo turquoise stone has been tested several times and has BAFFLED gemologists and mineralogists to date. Originally, people thought it was a different stone type other than turquoise. Similar stones are howlite, magnesite, planarite, etc. With each inquiry, each similar type has been dismissed. White buffalo turquoise has the same hardness of turquoise, is found in veins when mined like turquoise, and is found is black chert, which is a host rock of…turquoise! A great theory about the stones from this mine is that it is a kind of “albino” turquoise.

            The authenticity of White Buffalo Turquoise is backed by the family who owns the mine; the Otteson’s. The Ottesons own several turquoise mines and have a long history and good reputation mining turquoise in the Southwest. While not always advertising White Buffalo Turquoise as “White Turquoise”-because, let’s face it, it really isn’t-they still call it White Buffalo or White Buffalo Turquoise. For all consumer and market purposes, the material is called “White Buffalo Turquoise”. Personally, after looking at oodles of stones online and in person, there has never been a doubt in mind as to whether the stone is turquoise or not. I call it turquoise.

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STONE TYPES-Turquoise vs. Boulder or Ribbon Turquoise

Boulder or ribbon cut turquoise is just a different way of saying ‘turquoise within a host rock’. Often you can find lovely patterns of turquoise veining within the host rock, or just large streams of turquoise running through. These nature made designs are beautiful and just as rare as stones containing a higher turquoise to host rock ratio.

***BE CAREFUL:***

All of those similar stone types to turquoise are often marketed as such! Low quality stones like white howlite, or magnesite, can be marketed as “white turquoise”. If a price is cheap, that means the materials are cheap! Magnesite often comes in dark to light brown colours with a cream to off-white matrix (think of the beautiful, rare, and valuable Wild Horse Magnesite stone). White howlite is often a dull white colour with veins of a dark grey matrix. These veins are thin and milky. Although the matrix in real White Buffalo Turquoise can get blurry, it is still BLACK, and the colour has a higher saturation and hardness.

            All of the white buffalo turquoise I use is 100% genuine and authentic. I get it from a source in Nevada (not telling!) and I back it all of the way.

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PICTURE TIME!

Below, behold all of the fairly recent past sold orders or commissions I have created using White Buffalo Turquoise or ribbon cut White Buffalo Turquoise. To see any listings or sold listings, click on the pictures:

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Up next, we have all White Buffalo goodies still available in the shop:

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Lastly, all of my White Buffalo Turquoise currently in stock! The pair with the bezel around them are going to be made into sterling Buffalos as dangles for stretched ears in the future:

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Check back the First of every month for a new Rock Appreciation Day! If you have questions about my sources, just ask. Have a request for a specific stone or mine? Any input or questions on this issue? Comment below!

xx Stray Arrow

In The Shop Tomorrow!

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These will all be in the Etsy shop- TheStrayArrow.Etsy.com – tomorrow! They’ll be listed all throughout the day, so keep checking back…

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ah-mazing items for those with stretched earlobes will be coming to the GaugedbyStasia Etsy shop next week!

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Check out the shop tomorrow!

xx Stray Arrow

A Phalange Filled Week and some Arrow-Garble

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Some rings have been added to the Etsy shop today-and a few more are coming tomorrow! The majority of the newer pieces from the last post are now in the Muses Window Boutique on Main St., in Concord, MA. Joining them were some main pieces of the Etsy shop (snooze you loose!) including the Thunderbirds and Turquoise bird dangles, as well as all turtles. These sweet little wampum dangles also made their way into the boutique…

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In the Etsy shop tomorrow will be these two fat cats, as well as the Turquoise Compass Ring (size 7 1/4)-I know, I know. It has been a long time coming, but it’ll finally make it’s appearance tomorrow!

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I normally only post about stone or jewelry related things on the blog, but I know many people like to share, and share, and over share. To change things up a tish, how’s about a little music sharing? I’ve been listening to the Milk Carton Kids (they’re a throw back to Simon&Garfunkel and Donovan), and The Devil Makes Three-who are officially the best Bluegrass band with an edge to rock out in your car to. No, really. Do NOT let the term “Bluegrass” scare you away from a listen, this three piece plays raw and dirty music with lyrics that dig down deep into untapped themes. Being a very short person, I’ve decided to make their song, “Ten Feet Tall“, my theme song. One band I’ve been completely enthralled with (and admit though they’re growing in popularity VERY fast I’d only heard about them last week) is Of Monsters and Men, from Iceland. They’re music video for their single “Little Talks” captured me with all of their interwoven mythological references (two headed ravens, fire birds, and Krackens, anyone?). They smartly used them all to make their own mythology to explain their song through visuals. Not to mention, the song itself is all bounce&groove! How could they not be found adorable? I’m loving the little legs on the band members.

xx Stray Arrow

Preview and Past Customs

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This past month I’ve been working on mainly custom orders as well as some new goodies for the shops. Below are pics of the custom pieces I’ve been creating in the past few weeks, and after…a preview of the new jewels before they hit the main shop!

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PREVIEW:

Hitting the shop over the next couple of days, we have iolite gemstone ‘Starry Night’ earrings that are screw backs for those with no ear piercings~

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For the fingers, we have fresh additions to the Petals theme and the White Sands-White Buffalo Turquoise. A crinoid fossil ring of silver and gold will be joining them~

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Now for my favourite new addition. Hand sawed of bronze and silver, turquoise flower hair pins and braid ends! These hair adornments can double as hair ties, or can be slipped onto a bobby pin. Sold in singles and pairs, below are examples of custom orders~

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That’s it for now! Also in the works are new goods for the Gauged by Stasia shop, and ever so slowly, the RUNES line is becoming fully realized…

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PEER VENTURE:

In other news, fellow artist Tory Novikova has released a new line of spritely summer bags in her Etsy shop! As many artists, we each agreed to a trade-a turquoise hair tie for my very own FOX bag. These are 100% cotton, slightly sheer, and EVER so much more sturdy than you could possibly imagine. It is now my staple “going to the Post” tote, and can take a great amount of weight. The antique faded colour palettes of these three designs (FOX, POLAR BEAR, and OWL), make these the perfect beach bag. The adorable subtle tags on the inside give them an extra level of professionalism and class. I also hear that a fairy&mushroom theme will be forthcoming! These make spectacular gifts. Behold the lovely artist and her newest creation!

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find them in her shop @ ToryNova.Etsy.com

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Check back to the Etsy shops over the next couple of days for these new creations to emerge, in the meantime, why not take a peak at my new Facebook page? You can now find studio pics, custom creation pics, and more at http://www.Facebook.com/TheStrayArrowJewelry. Also now posting on Instagram under thestrayarrow. 

 

xx Stray Arrow

May Sale and Preview Night…

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The Etsy shops are back open with some new pieces coming soon. I’ll be showing off a few before they hit The Stray Arrow shop tomorrow, but first please read on for information about this month’s sales!

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May is my birthday month, and my official Customer Appreciation Month. I’ve been fortunate to work with some very fantastic, patient, and creative people for custom works. I’ve also had people leave very sweet feedback notes, all around a grand huzzah to you all! I could not be doing what I love without your support. In honor of that, ALL items in both shops have been reduced by 10%. If you have one of my “Third Time is A Charm” repeater cards, go for it! They’ll still work for either shop on top of the 10% discount. For all of those enthusiasts who read my blog-why not take another 5% off? Just enter the code “BLOGREADA” at checkout. Any sales this month will not be applying to custom orders.

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I unfortunately will *not* be taking on any custom orders for the month of May, unless I have already started conversations with you. I have an entire work bench full of half realized projects I have been yearning to complete! In order to empty some space on the bench-and ideas floating around my head-I need a little time off from custom works. I’d like to be able to expand some of my lines and themes past the usual 5 or so pieces and really dig into some of these vague notions to form some really unique works. 

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Now, onward to new pieces! Coming to the shop tomorrow, a few more pieces added to The Birds theme that has been slowly making its way into both shops. The necklaces and rings will be *made to order*. A pair of turquoise Black Bird earrings will be joining them.

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As it is now Spring, I thought it was only fitting for a little floral flair. Out across the yard are little sweet and tiny four leaf white blue flowers. I love these little four point Morning Star shapes. They also reminded me of the ever elusive four leaf clover-an old friend I always find come Spring time. With these two natural elements in mind I have created little domed flower shapes with the four leaf petals safely snug inside larger domed blooms. Made to order silver domed Petal Drop earrings studs and rings will be a mainstay. Dainty Petal earrings with precious turquoise and cluster stone rings will also be added and more to come.
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Merry Beltane, Happy Spring, may the new Season bring you some luck! Check the Stray Arrow Etsy shop out tomorrow (www.TheStrayArrow.Etsy.com) for these pieces plus a few more! 
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xx Stray Arrow

Rock Goodies…

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Well, it looks like I’ve been neglecting the blog again. Since my last tidbit, I’ve been banging out commissions and slowly collecting some more turquoise and gemstones. I thought I’d share a few…

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below, we have a BEAUTIFUL 2.79 carat emerald cut natural green Columbian emerald. I know I’m always ranting about turquoise, but there’s a special nook in my heart for my birthstone…

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next up, natural chrysoprase on the left, and pink & dark green tourmaline on the right-all fantastically microfaceted for maximum sparkle!

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A stunning .44 carat natural conflict free terra rose coloured rose cut DIAMOND means it is time for me to start getting fancy! Kyanite gems, and grade AAA wampum join the other sparkling gems in the treasure chest…

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As for turquoise, we have ribbon cut White Buffalo Mine turquoise from AZ, Southwest, and light sky blue Campitos Mine turquoise, perfect sizes for rings~the White Buffalo ribbon cuts can be seen in the “White Sands” series, of which two have sold…and another will be joining the shop sometime Friday…

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Last, we have some seriously high grade Koroit Boulder Opals from Queensland, Australia. You may have seen these stones around as they’ve been growing in popularity within the jewelry world. I decided to do some digging and found an amazing source. These stones are BRILLIANTLY cut, with glowing opal orbs, and the most unique designs I’ve seen. I cannot wait to start using these, but thought I’d let you all take a peak first. If you fall in love, let me know ASAP. These may go quickly!

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That’s all for new rock goodies!

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COMING SOON:

I’ll be working on finishing up commissions, and slowly cooking up the “RUNES LINE”. I also have several super ornate lovelies for the Gauged by Stasia shop in progress that’ll be hitting the shop by the end of next week. Get ready for some Spring flowers people! “Dainty Petal Wear” will be arriving shortly…*que mystery music*

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xx Stray Arrow

Stone Adorned Digits….

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Well, its been awhile. I have essentially been knocking out commissions and custom orders these past few weeks, thus the lack of new items in the shops (no complaints, though!). I also have brilliantly hurt my right wrist (possible minor sprain? something pulled? who knows), so I have been sawing away with a brace. Speed has been picking up! The weather has been lovely- perfect for open windows and doors with blaring tunes in the studio! The snow from storms has slowly melted and dim sunlight has lead to creepy and inspirational views…

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Just before my Business trip to Tucson, AZ for the gem show, I was able to make myself two pairs of earrings to wear down there. These lovelies are the first things I’ve made myself in years! Both feature birds from my “Stormy Night” series styles…

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I have several piercings on each ear, so these Wampum Birds fit my first and fourth piercings~the tips of the wings has *detachable* studs through them! The wampum was carved by Native artist Mark Changing Bear of buffalocarvings.com. The beauties below feature natural Royston teardrop turquoise stones…

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Other recent completions include a (surprise!) Bird ring for a friend, featuring a STUNNING and deep boulder opal that almost crackles with energy!

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AND NOW:

A PREVIEW

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SHOP UPDATE THURSDAY EVENING!

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A bunch of new fancies for the fingers! Stones include petrified wood, landscape jasper, wild horse magnesite, raw turquoise, Nacozari blue turquoise, old stock Kings Manassa turquoise, and what I’m going to call lily pad jasper (its been called many names):

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IN THE WORKS:

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For the Gauged by Stasia Etsy shop: more BIRDS! A slight difference from the Stormy Night style of having birds flanking round moon-like stones or gems. Featuring HUGIN & MUNIN from Old Norse mythology. They are Odin’s ravens and are often seen each to a shoulder. One stands for Thought, the other for Memory

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and, some new further development of…

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Watch the Etsy shops for updates THURSDAY! A future notice that I WILL NOT be taking any commissions or custom orders for the month of April. If I have not at least started conversing with you on ideas for a custom piece by April 1st, you’ll just have to wait…..and see what I create that month 🙂

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xx Stray Arrow

Tucson Gem Show…

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So, I have returned from Tucson with a TON of new rock goodies to share and use. This post is going to be L.O.N.G….

I’ll start with photos of lovely stones, then show off all the turquoise, and wrap up with all *matching* pairs for earrings or plugs. Tomorrow I’ll post some extra photos as well, so stay tuned!

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Below, from left to right, we have: Blue Biggs Picture Jasper, Plume Agate (looks like snow!), a STUNNING piece of petrified wood, and a primo piece of Mohawkite! Mohawkite comes from the Mohawk Mine in Michigan. Within the snow white quartz you’ll find a shiny mix of copper arsenates with nickel, cobalt, silver and iron. The stones are a by-product of silver and copper mining.

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Below from left to right: graveyard plume agate, ocean jasper, agua nueva agate, and petrified palm wood!

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Below from left to right: two different kinds of LOVELY petrified wood, and a primo cut of Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper/Guadeloupe Jasper!

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Below from left to right: primo Imperial Jasper Nodule, two lovely landscape jaspers, and two Mexican Bird’s Eye Ryholites!

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Below is a large and super duper lovely Medicine Bow Dendritic Agate! 

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Next up-Mini cabs! Perfect for little rings or necklaces. From left to right, top row, we have: a sweet round mini Turritella Shell Fossil (perfect ring size!), red plume agate, and lace agate. 

Bottom row from left to right: picture jasper, plume agate, lace agate, and a beautiful little Imperial Jasper (lovely lovely olive and rust colours)

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Also new are some sweet Wild Horse Magnesite cabochons:

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In the picture below we have a great high quality dendritic quartz (plant fossils trapped in clear quartz), and a STUNNING mini Golden Rutile Star Quartz. This is one of the nicest and rarest quartz types out there (on par with Medusa quartz). This is the only one I’ve been able to get my hands on, and its a FULL STAR! Usually you just see half of the design or a part of the design in a cab. This little full star lovely is perfectly round, small, and calling for a ring!
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The jasper stones below I’ve heard called many names. The most popular are bird’s eye rhyolite, or ollithic limestone. Either way, whatever it is, it is definitely jasper, and fantastic! They remind me of lily pads, or rose gardens. The two stones on the right are slices of Montana Agates:
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TURQUOISE TIME!
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The amount of high quality natural turquoise I found was so exciting, especially because I found hardly any after diligently hunting the entire first day I was at the Gem Show. For those unfamiliar with “The Gem Show”, it is held in Tucson, AZ at the beginning of each year. There are several major gem/mineral/jewelry shows, and dozens of other mini shows. I only attended two-the major Gem Show at the Tucson Convention Center, which is more for gemstone dealers, and the larger tent/trailer gem show at the old Electric Park. Last year I met the nice Mr. Jim, who actually remembered me this year! The majority of my new turquoise (and all Fox Mine and #8 Mine turquoise) is from him. My darling niece patiently helped me pick out matching pairs. The Electric Park show was like an open candy store! Behold my newly found treats:
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The pictures below are all from assorted mines, if you fall in love with one of these stones or are even a tad curious-ask me and I’ll tell you which!:
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Other turquoise scored included a single piece of turquoise from the ever popular and rare Damale Mine! This fat cab (really, like a bubble), is more minty as opposed to the yellowish hues the Mine is known for. It reminds me a little of the Peacock Mine, and has a fantastic web to it. The two stones to its left are OLD STOCK Carico Lake Mine turquoise. These little guys are the real deal, and have deep tight webs with extremely saturated colour:
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Another rare mine that I was surprised to find so much of out there is one of my favourites: the Apache Mine. Known for its minty turquoise and black matrix, I’ve only ever had two cabs of this that had immediately been sold in pieces. This is extremely original material, and only comes from one mine! I got Apache Mine turquoise from two different vendors….the second batch below being the Mine Owner! She was a pistol!
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This huge one is calling for a cuff bracelet, what do you think?
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Below is from the Mine Owner, top grade turquoise! The colours are even more intense in person. The two cabs on the top right are currently reserved for an earring pair:
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MATCHING TURQUOISE AND GEMSTONE PAIRS!
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The pictures below are all of matching turquoise pairs, mines as labeled, all from the fantastic Mr. Jim:
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These are my favourite catch of anything by far. These three matched pairs are all natural, *old stock*, #8 Mine turquoise. These are the tightest webs I’ve ever seen. They are all top grade, smooth, high polished, exquisite little beautes. Ain’t nothing better:
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OTHER GEMSTONE PAIRS~
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From left to right in the picture below, we have: two pairs of NATURAL rounded trillion cut drusy! Perfect for elegant plugs or earrings, especially fitting for events and weddings! Next to them is a pair of oval shaped Mastadon Ivory (which would look nice with wampum beads, non?), and a great pair of lemon chrysoprase.
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Finally we have, from left to right: 

snowflake obsidian, super tall Four Peaks Mine amethyst gemstones, STUNNING square blue chalcedony gemstones, and sweet little red sponge corals (their detail is a little lost in the photo, but they are sponge-patterned)

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Well, that’s all folks! Everything you see is currently up for grabs except the matching Apache Mine cabs. Stay tuned for a Post of newly completed commissions…

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xx Stray Arrow