Tanzanite being coated, it is true!

This topic comes from an article I read on colored stone magazines website. To see the article for yourself go to http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/may08/tanzanite.cfm It seems there are some very greedy people that have been selling color coated tanzanite, to give it that top blue color. I wondered for a very long time, how some certain companies were getting this top quality tanzanite, when it supposedly was not available. Well here is your reason, it is not the genuine color. It is being treated, and top coated with some kind of coloring agent. The color does not go all the way through the stone, and it is just being discovered by only certain laboratories. So if you have spent thousands of dollars, per carat, on one of those so called blue gemmy tanzanites, you might want to have it tested by one of these labs. I personally own some tanzanite, of the lighter blue violet color, and am now glad I did not invest in one of those pricier pieces. This treatment, of course, will bring down the value of your tanzanite. It is already common knowledge, that tanzanite is a heat treated stone, therefore not a natural gemstone. I think anyone, who follows gemstones, could name a popular TV show, that was selling tanzanite for about 1500 dollars per carat, just 6 months ago, and is all of a sudden selling it for 300-700 per carat. Pretty suspicious if you ask me.

Citrine The Sunshine Gemstone

That is not an official name for Citrine. It is just what I think of when I see Citrine. Citrine has a hardness of 7, on the Mohs Hardness Scale, and is somewhat brittle internally. Due to this care needs to be taken, when setting, or wearing Citrine. Most Citrine, on the market is heat treated, to enhance the color, and usually has a slight red tint to it. Natural Citrine, is a very soft lovely yellow color. Citrine, can range from a soft yellow, to a deep golden yellow color. Each of these rings below, were made by me, and are available for sale, in my Etsy store, missy69. Citrine is the birthstone of November.

And The Winner Of The October Contest Is:

The winner of the Black Star Diopside ring, or an advertising link, is Three Fates Designs. The random number chosen by Random.org was 17, that number was pre-assigned by my to Three Fates. I had 33 entries for this contest. I will be contacting her to let her know she has won. Thank you to all those that entered.

My November contest, is being worked on right now. It will be a combined contest, with my Homeschool blog. So stay tuned for that.

Tigers Eye Member Of The Quartz Family

Tigers Eye, is a genuine gemstone, from the Quartz family. Created from Hawks Eye, part of the components of the material has oxidized to a brown color, and kept its fibrous structure. These fibers usually show up as stripes, on the gemstone. Some finer quality, Tigers Eye, will show a cats eye effect, with chatoyancy. Tigers eye, has a hardness of 6 1/2-7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, it has no cleavage, making it a durable gemstone. It is always cut in cabachon form, and has been used in gemstone carvings for many years. It is susceptible to some acids, so care should be taken not to wear Tigers Eye, when cleaning or working with chemicals. This ring, was made by me. It features a round Tigers Eye gemstone, with cats eye effect, set in a sterling silver ring, with rhodium plating, and Bella Luce CZ's. The Bella Luce semi mount, was purchased from JTV. This ring is available for purchase in my Etsy store.

We are into the last day of the contest, to win the Star Diopside Ring. To see the ring, go to the archives, and look for the title with that headline. I will be drawing the winner through Random.org tomorrow morning, and the winner will be announced and contacted. You still have time to get in. Join my reader, leave comments, buzz me up, lots of different ways. Good luck to everyone, that has entered.

Marvelous Monday: Bungle Bear Designs

Today on Marvelous Monday, featured Etsy FEST seller, is Bungle Bear Designs. She sells, cute pouches, and key holders, at awesome prices. Her pouches, could be makeup bags, or a small purse. She has tons of designs to choose from, with cute animals, patterns, and other great choices. These would make great gift ideas, for anyone on your gift giving list. To check out her items, go to http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23436 If you live in Florida, you can join the Etsy Fest team, by using the button listed at the top of this blog. There is only two more days left, to enter my jewelry give away, so be sure to see the details at the top of this blog. If you have old craft books, or any books that you would like to get rid of, then join my book give away club. The button is listed on this blog. It is free, with no minimum or maximum requirements. It does not earn me money, just provides an outlet for me to get rid of books I no longer need.

More Wire Wrapping Free Lesson Videos

Aunties Beads, is one of my favorite websites to visit. They have a whole host of free video, jewelry making videos. These videos are hosted by Karla Kam, and her lessons are concise, and easy to follow. This link is to the wire wrapped pendant tutorial. However they have lots of others available on their website. Go to http://www.auntiesbeads.com/Category.aspx?ID=3ed0f6aa-e7ee-4ea0-96b1-1aa94cd38449www.auntiesbeads.com/Category.aspx?ID=3ed0f6aa-e7ee-4ea0-96b1-1aa94cd38449 to take advantage of these free lessons.

I hope everyone has a great Sunday. This is the last week, to enter the October giveaway to win the Star Diopside Ring. The details are all at the top of the blog.

How Is Your Apatite?

Apatite, a greek word for apateo, or to confuse. Apatite is a rare, and gergeous gemstone, sometimes confused with the ever lovely paraiba tourmaline, a very exotic and expensive gemstone. Apatite, is a lovely swimming pool blue color, or sometimes a green color. The blue variety is the most sought after, and commands the highest price. It is known to be included, and clean stones are difficult to come by. It is very sensitive to household chemicals, so everyday wear is not recommended. It is also a softer gemstone, with a hardness of 5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. It is probably not a good idea to set in rings, or bracelets, such as I did, earrings or a pendant is more safe. I love this gemstone, it is definately on my list of favorites. If you dont own an Apatite, it is definately worth your while to have one. The pendant is a quartz crystal bead, wire wrapped to a jewelry finding, with 3 Apatite briolette drops. This lovely pendant is available for sale, and will be listed in my Etsy store, missy69. The ring, is a sterling silver ring, set with a 7mm round Apatite gemstone, with rows of cz accents. The ring is part of my personal collection.

Peridot the Birthstone for August babies

Peridot, also called Chrysolite and Olivine, is the birthstone for August babies. It can range in color from yellow-green, to green-yellow, olive green, and some brownish in color which are not optimal. Peridot of the nicer varieties are found in Arizona in the USA, China, Burma and Pakistan. Peridot has been found with a cats eye effect, and star asterism. It is extremely rare, in those varieties, and I have never seen any either in a book, or in person. It is a doubly refractive gemstone, and some have a lily pad inclusion. It has a Mohs hardness of 6 1/2-7 and can be very brittle. Care must be taken when setting Peridot, due to its brittleness, and when wearing to avoid knicking and chipping the stone. Alot of Peridot, sold in the stores is not the lovelier quality, therefore many August babies do not like their gemstone. However, there is gem quality Peridot available, and it is quite lovely. If you look at my pictures posted, you will see what I mean. Peridot is said to be running out, and is making the stone more rare and thereby more valuable. Get your Peridot, before it runs out. I personally prefer sterling silver, but Peridot is quite lovely when set in yellow gold.

How To Set Faceted Gemstones, Easy Tutorial

As promised, I found a tutorial that teaches how to set gemstones in ring settings. The first one is for snap tite settings, the easiest to use, but not as durable. The second is for a four pronged ring. I would like to add one small tip. They using flat nose pliers to tighten the prongs. I am not saying that is wrong, but if you buy gem setting pliers, they have a groove in them, that makes the process even easier. Here are the links, happy jewelry making. This website by the way has tons and tons of jewelry making tips, classes, and information. Look around, you will love it.

http://www.wigjig.com/jewelry-making/bling/pg.13.htm
http://www.wigjig.com/jewelry-making/bling/pg14.htm

While they make it look easy, it takes a lot of practice to get the right feel. Plus you will find you will scratch and break prongs easier than would be expected. Some gemstones also are not calibrated exactly as the setting, or the pavilion is deeper or more narrow than the setting will allow. With practice, and time you will be an expert at setting your own gemstones.

Marvelous Monday The Art Of Skulls Day Of The Dead

This week on Marvelous Monday, The art of skulls etsy store is being featured. She dedicates her store to all decorative skulls, and day of the dead. You can view her store, by going to http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5443255 These are great for Halloween, or for anyone who loves artwork that is different, and unique. Her prices start around 20 dollars, and I have to say her pieces are unique, and artistic. Be sure to leave a comment, whether you love them or not. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Wire Wrapped Freshwater Blue Pearl Pendant With Drop

I love pearls, and these lovely little blue pearls, are just lovely. This lovely little pendant, I made using silver plated wire, freshwater blue pearls, and a plastic teardrop bead. It really is not very little, it measures from bail to bottom 2 inches, by 1 1/4 inches at the widest spot. The bail is nice and big, and an omega could probably fit in it. This lovely pendant, can be purchased in my Etsy store. Please feel free to leave any comments, and or constructive criticism.

Wire Wrapped Crosses With Pearl Accents

My mom, gave me these silver crosses some time ago, to see if I could use them for something. Well they have been sitting in my supply bin, for sometime, because I didnt know what to use them for. They were already pendants, so when I started learning to wire wrap, I thought to try wire wrapping a pearl to the crosses. I think they came out pretty good. The one is a mother of pearl cross, with the blue pearl, I have to add a jump ring to it to make it a complete pendant. These will be available for sale in my Etsy shop for 6.50 as soon as I get a second to list them. They would make great gifts, or stocking stuffers http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466

Layaway For Christmas Now, Book Give Away Club

Click to join bookgiveaway

I started a new yahoo group, for people who want to give away books they no longer want, or use. It can be any kind of book, or magazine, that you are willing to share with someone who wants it.

As most people who visit this blog know, this is a jewelry, gemstone, and craft blog. I have several items shown, that are available for purchase. I also have jewelry, for sale in my Etsy store. I am now offering a free Layaway service, to anyone who wishes to use it. Payments must be made through paypal, with at least one payment every two weeks. This can be tweeked if necessary, but I think that will work best. You must put at least 5% down, of the balance, for the Layaway to start. Items will be shipped once, Layaway has been paid in full. I will be adding a gadget, to advertise this, and putting it in my header on my Etsy store. Please comment here, or email me if you are interested. I will be adding new items, both here on this blog, and in my Etsy store, frequently so be sure to check often. This is the address, to my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466

Mermaid's Tears The Loveliest Gems Of The Sea

I have a guest blogger today. I met Robin at http://CreationsByRobin.etsy.com from on a money forum, we both belong to. She makes beautiful Sea Glass Pendants, available for sale in her Etsy Store. Read her explanation, of Sea Glass, and be fascinated as I was.



Sea glass, also known as beach glass or mermaid's tears, in it's most simplest terms is glass that has been discarded in the ocean. The glass often spends several decades in the water and during this time the combination of salt water and constant tumbling in the sand transforms an unwanted bottle into a smooth, frosted, gem.

Most sea glass is garbage that was dumped in the ocean many years ago. Smaller percentages are glass from bottle, jugs, etc, that have been freed over time from ship wrecks and houses that the sea has claimed during catastrophic storms. Over the years, ocean dumping has been discontinued and pretty much all dumping ceased in the 70s. Ironically, it was around the same period of time that glass was largely replaced by plastics.

The best way to find beach glass is to take a long stroll on the beach, especially during and just after low tide. While walking, check in the shell beds that the tide left behind. Chances are, if you look long enough, you'll find a piece or two.

Beware of sharp edges! Some pieces may have only spent a short time in the ocean...not nearly enough time to smooth all the sharp edges. If your "find" looks like a piece of wet glass that washed up, that's probably what it is.
Sea glass that has been smooth by years of tumbling in the sand and surf will often take on a frosted patina when dry. This is caused by the salt water leeching chemicals out of the glass as it tumbles along the ocean's bottom.

I don't believe I've ever heard of a timeframe to create a piece of sea glass, but I would suspect it takes decades to create. Some of the pieces of glass that I've found have been placed as far back as the mid-late 1800s (of course that doesn't mean the glass has been in the ocean that whole time, but glass experts are able to place the type of glass to during specific times)

Sea glass can be found just about anywhere. Besides the ocean, many of the Great Lakes (Lake Erie in particular) have been turning up large amounts of sea glass in recent years. Looking in the vicinity of where a ship sank may prove to yield some well-rounded pieces. Strong off-sea storms have been know to stir up the bottom of the seas and reward beachcombers with brilliant gems.

Looking for sea glass is as much luck as it is a science. Everyone probably remembers studing the moon in school. The same information we learned in school about the moon controlling the tides, has much to do with increasing your chances of find a few of the oceans beautiful gems. Full moons cause the tides to increase in strength. Usually you hear about how damaging a high tide can be and while the high tide stirs everything up on the ocean's floor, it's the low tide that is the key to finding sea glass.

You may find pieces washed up and mixed among stranded shell beds, but many brilliant pieces can also be found sitting at the surf's edge during low tide (and you thought you'd never need that info on the moon while your were in school) Jewelry quality pieces of any color are indeed rare to find, but even those that aren't perfectly rounded and smooth make beautiful decorations, especially when the sun light gets to them.

The most common colors are the basic colors... white, green and brown (the colors of the bottles of many beer/wine manufactorers and the largest majority of glass made today) Some shades of greens are considered to be uncommon, along with soft blues and many softer shades of green, such as lime & forest. Rare colors of sea glass are pinks, aquas, cornflower and cobalt blues, purples and citron. Extremely rare colors are reds, oranges, teal, gray, yellow and turquoise. Locating a jewelry quality piece in the rare and extremely rare categories is indeed a rare find!

It isn't uncommon to see both teenagers and adults looking for pieces that happen to wash up in the surf and sea glass has now become a much sought-after collectible. Unfortunately, supplies continue to dwindle and in the not to distant future, just finding any piece of sea glass will be a rarity.

So next time, you're enjoying a relaxing stroll along the surf at your favorite beach and a bright flicker of color catches your eye, take a second look... it may just be a piece of garbage, that has transformed into a beautiful, highly-sought after gem!

Grossular Garnet Also Called Tsavorite Garnet

The Garnet group, is such a diverse group of gemstones. Garnet is found, in almost every color of the rainbow, with the exception of blue. By far the most expensive, and sought after is the Tsavorite, or Grossular Garnet. It is a lovely emerald green color, and is completely natural, with no treatment. Like all Garnets, Tsavaorite Garnet, has a hardness of 6 1/2- 7 1/2, on the Mohs Hardness Scale. I do have one ring, that is Tsavorite Garnet, but I did not make it. I purchased this Tsavorite Garnet ring some time ago. It is a lovely green color, and surrounded by diamonds, set in yellow gold. I very rarely wear gold, but I just loved this ring. Tsavorite Garnet, is a very rare, expensive, and exotic gemstone. It can be found in Kenya, and Tanzania, and was first discovered in the 1970's. If you are a true collector, you really need to have at least one piece of Tsavorite Garnet, in your collection.

Tools Used For Gemstone Identification

Today I am going to post, about my Xmas wish list. A set of tools to help identify gemstones. I am saving my pennies, and hopefully will save enough, to get the set for Christmas. Why identify your gemstones? Well, if you buy parcels of gemstones, very often, they are not identified. You can sort of figure out, what some of them are, but if you sell you have to be sure to tell buyers that the stone has not been officially identified. Also if you buy stones, from like Ebay, or other websites, and you are unsure whether, the stone has been misrepresented, these tools will help you identify if the stone is actually what they said, or even a simulant or synthetic. These are the tools I want to get:

1- Refractometer, with RI fluid- In my opinion this is the most important tool you can own, if you want to identify gemstones. It will test and show the refractive index, of the stone. Once you know the refractive index, you can refer to your resource books, and decide which stones fit under that RI. Each stone has a very specific RI.

2- Microscope- Now there are very expensive gemstone microscopes, on the market, and I mean expensive. We do already own a microscope, that we use for homeschooling, and it doubles for me to examine gemstones. I paid maybe 25 dollars for it at Walmart. Each gemstone, has a fingerprint if you will, internal characteristics, seeing them under the microscope will allow you to identify your gemstones. You will need a resource book, to tell you what the characterisitcs are, for each stone. I will be getting Gemstone Identification Made Easy, I do not yet own this book, that is why it makes this list.

3- Handheld Polariscope, now it doesnt technically have to be handheld, but it does make it easier to handle. This tool is used to show if a gemstone is single or doubley refractive. It is used mostly to identify diamond simulants, that are usually doubly refractive, where a genuine diamond is singly refractive.

4- 10x Loupe- No I cant believe I do not yet own one of these. They are not that expensive, but because I have a magnifying glass, and the microscope, I just never bought one. It really is an essential tool though.

5- Calcite Dichroscope- Dichroscope show whether or not a stone is dichroic (reflects 2 colors). I personally dont think this instrument is all that useful, given the price charged for it, but it is one of the tools listed.

6- Spectroscope- Another tool, that I dont personally identify, as a need, but it is listed on the tools list. A handheld spectroscope for visible light shows the absorption lines of the elements involved in producing its color. For instance, it helps to separate ruby (chrome) against red or pink sapphire (iron).

7- Chelsea Filter- This tool is used mostly in identifying genuine Emeralds, from fakes, synthetics, and doublets. It can be used with other colored gemstones as well.

So those are the more common tools, needed to identify your gemstones. They are very expensive, and can sometimes be purchased in packages.

Marvelous Monday Featured Etsy Store Anamano Crafts

Welcome to Marvelous Monday. I recently joined a great Etsy Group called Fest, for Florida crafters. I have decided to feature each one on Mondays, called Marvelous Monday. They will be in Alphabetical order, and have to have some items in their store to be posted about. This week I am featuring the work of Ana, she has a blog, and an Etsy store. She makes lovely glass jewelry, that can be viewed and purchased at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5716544 Her prices are reasonable, and she has several items available. She also has a blog called, Ana's Blog. All about her thoughts, poetry, and art. Be sure to visit it at http://www.anabgalano.blogspot.com/ Have a marvelous Monday, and be sure to come back and visit tomorrow.

Sterling Malachite Gemstone Cabachon With Leaves Ring

Malachite, is a lovely green gemstone. It usually has bands within the gemstone, and is very popular in carvings, and jewelry. It only has a hardness of 3 1/2 to 4, on the Mohs Hardness Scale, so extreme care must be given when cleaning, and wearing Malachite. If you love the Kelly Green color, this is the gemstone for you. This ring was created by me, and features an 8x6mm oval Malachite gemstone, set in a sterling silver ring, with fancy leaves adorning the shoulders of the ring. This ring would be perfect to wear in the Fall, or anytime of the year. This ring will be available for sale, in my Etsy store. If you are not a member, and are interested in this ring, it can be purchase through this blog. Shipping is free, if you order, through my blog, to USA buyers only. Don't forget to enter the contest, see the top of the blog for details.

Wire Wrapping And Beaded Techniques, And Tutorials,Free Jewelry Contest Update

This website, has some very lovely designs, to learn to make. The necklace, on the page I picked, is a dangle necklace, and is quite lovely. It incorporates, both some wire technique, and beading technique. If you go to their homepage, you will find tons more, using both techniques. I have not personally tried any of these yet, but they are on my long list of things to try. I will get to everything, eventually LOL. Happy jewelry making. Go to http://www.how-to-make-beaded-jewelry.com/crystal-necklace.html If you want to learn to make your own jewelry, this website is a good place to start.

Here are the Contest updates, for the free Star Diopside Ring, or Free Text Link:

betchai: 4 entries

for keeps: 1 entry

Penny: 3 entries

the beaded tail: 1 entry

TC: 2 entries

Dashery: 1 entry

Three fates: 1 entry

michelle gartner: 2 entries

rkdsign88: 1 entry

To get more entries, see the rules at the very top of the blog. You still have plenty of time to get in your entries. If anyone has buzzed up an article, please notify me, as they count as entries too, and I can not seem to see who buzzed me. At the end of the contest, all the entries will be put in a pumpkin, and my 8 yr old son, will draw out a winner. If you have posted about this contest on your blog, that is an entry as well. You have to drop me back a comment, here so I can check it. Have a great Saturday, everyone

Cute Halloween Tote Bags

These are available for sale, in my Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466 My mom made these, and my kids use them every year, for trick or treating. The ones shown are brand new, and have never been used. As you can see there are two different styles. I have 3 of each kind available, they are great for carrying stuff for sleep overs, daycare, even school, trips etc. If you purchase one through this blog, shipping is free, to USA customers, only. My kids have had theirs for two years, so they are durable. Dont forget to enter the contest to win the Black Star Diopside Ring, or the free 90 text link advertising. Last week was crazy, and I did not get any jewelry making done, I do have a large inventory and will be adding and creating new pieces. Christmas will be here before you know it, so stop by my store and take advantage of my great prices. Krypto and his birthday cake pictures, will be up soon. Have a great Monday, everyone.

SS Red Garnet Ring, Pinky Ring, Or Young Child

First let me say, my other blog is unfixable. So for now I am transferring data to this blog, this will take me a long time, as I have 96 posts on the other blog. As I transfer them over, I will be deleting them off the other blog. Once they have all been transferred, that blog will be deleted. If anyone wants to purchase an item from me, and you order directly from this blog, shipping will be free, to USA customers only. You can also purchase from my Etsy shop, listed below. Tomorrow, I will adding Contest updates. You still have until the 29th to enter the contest, so be sure to get your entries in. The contest rules, are posted at the top of this blog.

This lovely ring, is a ring for a young girl. It is a genuine Red Garnet gemstone, set in sterling silver. It is a size 3, and would make a great first piece of jewelry for any young girl on your shopping list, or as a pinky ring, as shown on my hand. Red Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. This lovely ring will be available to purchase, in my Etsy store, for 14.99 There are only 83 more shopping days until Christmas, dont delay start now. I have tons of great pieces available for sale at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466 This cute ring, is available for sale either through this blog, or my Etsy shop.

Pink Mother of Pearl Pendant and Earrings, With Blue Pearls

This is a set of pink Mother Of Pearl pendant, and earrings. They were created using, pink mother of pearl beads, and then wire wrapped with silvertone wire, to create the pendant and earrings. The earrings are fish hook style earrings. Each mother of pearl, has a freshwater blue pearl in the center. These are for sale for 14.99 each, in my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466 If you are not a member of Etsy and you are interested in purchasing these, you can contact me, and I will work out the details with you. Anything you order, directly from this blog, will receive free shipping to USA buyers. Check out my fellow members at team FEST, their Etsy mini is found on the side bar, of this blog. Start your xmas shopping early, and buy some handmade jewelry. Please ask any questions, and comments are always appreciated. Dont forget to enter the contest, rules are at the top of the blog, and win a free Star Diopside ring.

Chrome Diopside The Kelly Green Gemstone

This picture did not come out very good. This ring, I made, using a semi mount purchased from Rio Grande. I then set the Chrome Diopside, into the setting. Chrome Diopside, is a completely natural gemstone. It gets no treatment at all, to get that wonderful color. It comes mainly from Siberia, though are a few other smaller sources. It has a Mohs Hardness of 5-6, on the hardness scale. That does not make it the toughest gemstone, and care should be taken when cleaning, and wearing Chrome Diopside. Some companies refer to Chrome Diopside, as the Siberian Emerald, it is not an Emerald, and not even in the same family as an Emerald. The name comes from the lovely color. It is a gemstone with usually excellent clarity as well. If you dont own Chrome Diopside, you should. It is more affordable than Emeralds, with better color and clarity. If you are a May baby, this could be substituted for an Emerald, as your birthstone. This lovely ring, will be available later today for sale in my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466

Monday Is For Moms: Fall Leaves

This weeks Monday is for moms, features a handtowel, made by my Mom. It features a set of lovely fall leaves, embroidered onto a handtowel. This would make a great addition to any kitchen, for the fall months. This lovely handtowel will be available for sale in my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466 for the price of 3.95 Be sure to visit my store, and check out all my great items. I will be adding more of my moms, lovely hand towels in the next couple of days. Be sure to check out all my jewelry, and start your Xmas shopping early. My prices are reasonable, and all pieces are made by me. If you are a mom, and you have a craft, run a store or a blog, leave me a comment with your info, and I will feature you next Monday, on Monday is for Moms. Have a great day, everyone.

New Template, But Wow What A Mess

Like I said yesterday, since something was wrong with the blog, I was going to try to change to a totally new template. As you can see I have a totally new template, but everything else was lost, except the posts. I am not sure what I did wrong, because it said it backed it up, guess what it didnt back it up. So now I am playing the fix it game. Melissas Jewelry and Gemstone Blog, is now Melissas Jewelry and Gem blog. I did not lose any contest info, for those with entries. I write them down everytime, someone gets an entry. I can still access the other blog for comments anyway. If anyone buzzed up an article, please leave me a comment, because Buzz does not let me know who buzzed me up, or at least not that I see. So please take credit for your buzzes, on the other blog, so they can count towards contest entries. If you dont remember the other blog you can go to http://www.melissasjewelryandgemstoneblog.blogspot.com I have to now re enter everything, that I can and that will take some time. I copied the last 3 most recent posts, and will try to get all the tutorials and other great info, transferred over too. They might be in link form, rather than a post I dont know yet. This will probably take me a little time, and I am not sure I will ever do this again. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Win A Black Star Diopside Ring, Or A Free 90 Day Text Advertising Link

Ok the contest, for October, officially starts tonight at midnight, and runs until Oct. 29th. On the 29th all entries, will be put in a Pumpkin, and a winners name drawn. For this contest, you must live in the USA, or Canada, to participate. Here are the rules:

1- If you leave a comment, on this post, or any post, you will receive 1 entry. Please be sure it is a relevant comment, to the subject of the post, or it will not be counted. If you comment every day, you will have an entry, every day.

2- If you Buzz up, this article, or any article, you will receive 1 entry. After you Buzz up the story you must either come back, and comment, or email me that you did so. You can do this every day, on the daily post, and get an entry every day.

3- If you blog about this contest, on your blog, or website, you will get 1 entry. Be sure to email me, so I can verify the info, and receive your info, for tracking.

4- If you sign up to follow, my blog, that is 1 entry, or if you join my RSS feed, that is also 1 entry.

There is no age limit, for this contest, but as stated you must have a valid USA, or Canadian mailing address.

Good luck to everyone, and have fun.

Red Labradorite/Andesine/Yellow Labradorite/Bytownite Scandal

Ok I will admit, this is the most confusing, story line I have ever followed. I have been waiting for months, for Colored Stone Magazine, to report their findings of testing of what they call TV Labradorite/Andesine. Anyone who watches JTV, who calls themselves the largest reseller, of loose gemstones has seen their Red Labradorite/Andesine and seen the lies they have said about it. When it first came on the market, they sold it as a completely natural gemstone, both the red and the green. They also claimed they did not know where it came from, and thought maybe the Congo or Tibet. What, does that even make any sense? How do you not know where you are buying something from. I watched, and watched, as their prices went up, up and up, on this very lovely looking material. I had friends who bought tons of the stuff, expecting to make tons of money some day off of this all natural stone. I was not so willing to participate with their ambigous stories. So at the end of 2007, their Red Labradorite/Andesine prices started to drop dramatically, and they were going to have this huge announcement about the stone, soon. Well soon turned into, months as they continued to try to sell off the remainder of their material, at now lower prices. So in January of 2008, comes the big announcement. They sent some great explorer to find out where this material was in fact coming from, guess what it was coming from Mongolia, and was going to be the gemstone of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and oh yeah just a minor note it isnt natural it is heated. There it was their big announcement, and their new lower prices for the material. People continued to gobble it up. Now as written in Colored Stone Magazine, not only is it heated and put to Diffusion treatments, it comes from Mexico, not Mongolia, and the true natural color is a soft yellow color similar to Bytownite, which is a truly natural color gemstone. So did JTV knowingly deceive its buyers? There really is no exact proof of that, but I think yes they did. They made so much money off of this gemstone, and are in fact now selling natural Yellow Labradorite, from Mexico, and deeming it rare, exotic, and all natural which of course it is. It is probably Bytownite, but the family of Feldspar gemstones, are so close in chemical composition, that it does not really matter what you call it. I think JTV, has had some real issues with customers, demanding refunds, both for their Tanzanite which was found to be coated, and their Andesine which was found to be both heated and diffusin treated. If you are a follower of their programs, they have drastically cut their prices, on all things they sell, and I personally would not be surprised, if they did not loose a lot of faithful customers. Did I ever purchase any of their Tanzanite, or Red Labradorite/Andesine? I received Tanzanite in a parcel, if I were to buy a single stone I would buy the lower priced material, or the lighter color, knowing it would not be coated. I did purchase the green variety of the Andesine, because the price was awesome, and was aware of the information that had been released. It really is a lovely stone, and I am pleased with the purchase. I am glad I waited however, and did not purchase at the absurdly high prices they were charging. I have several pieces of Bytownite, not purchased from JTV, and they are lovely. I received two matched pairs of their Yellow Labradorite in parcels I purchased. They really are a lovely yellow color, with a slight undertone of peach. To read the complete story, provided by Colored Stone Magazine, go to http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/sep08/andesine-report-followup.cfm

This is the ring I created with the Green Andesine I purchased from JTV, it does have a slight color shift to it.

Pink Crochet Doily, New Blog Template

Tomorrow, I am going to try to add another whole new template, since for some reason, this one is not working correctly, and none of the Blogger ones are, at least not on this blog. My other one is fine, so I am going to give it a shot, and hopefully not make a real mess. Wish me luck.

This is a pretty pink doily I just finished crocheting. No I have never done this before, so I am very pleased with the outcome. I knew basic stitches, from when I was a kid, and we would make doll blankets, but that is about it. Anyone, who follows this blog, knows that I am not good at following patterns, so at first I followed the pattern, and then just did what I wanted. I wanted it to be very much bigger, but it really takes a long time, and having the attention span of a rock, I just couldnt make it any bigger. The photo was when, it wasnt quite done, I had a few rows left, so it looks a tad funny on the one side. I dont think I am going to sell it, I like it too much, and it will look lovely sitting on my Holiday table. I hope everyone is having a great Saturday.