Montana Sapphires The Native American Sapphires

If you are from the USA, and you love to collect gemstones, native to the states, then Montana Sapphires are for you. For a long time, they were not considered coveted, as compared to some other sources of Sapphires, because they lacked the desired blue color. Now with modern heat treating, the more desirable colors of blue can be obtained. Plus Montana Sapphires come in almost every color, and hue, of the rainbow. Most stones are small, another reason for lack of marketability, but that is starting to change. There are 4 different mining areas, for Sapphires, in Montana. Rock Creek, which offers some mining to the public. The other three sites are located on the Missouri River, about 15 miles from Helena.

The rings pictured, are of Montana Sapphires, from my collection. The cluster ring, contains 3 blue Montana Sapphires, then in the fourth slot is a Tanzanite. For some reason, possibly a flaw in the ring design, the fourth Montana Sapphire would not fit in that space, so I put a Tanzanite in there the next closest colored stone I had. See if you can notice which one it is. I was going to sell that one, but with the flaw, it will stay in my collection, and yes I wear it. The second ring, is an unheated Montana Sapphire, which would make it completely natural. It is 6mmx4mm oval, and is set in a sterling silver ring. This one also is not for sale, because I love it, and it will stay in my collection. For me I love collecting stones from my native country, plus I love the affordability of a Montana Sapphire, compared to a Ceylon Sapphire.

Amethyst The Gemstone Of Royalty, New Sale Promotion

Amethyst, is the purple variety of quartz, and the most sought after and prized. It is said that if you like purple, then you like being in the spotlight. I am not a purple fan, but Amethyst, in the deeper hues of purple, are quite lovely. Amethyst has been around, for hundreds of years, and is a very durable gemstone. Amethyst is the birthstone for February. It has a hardness of 7, on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Amethyst can be found in faceted, cabachon, beads, chips, geodes, and even ornamental carvings. It is a very versatile stone, in the gemstone world. Amethyst can be heat treated, to deepen the purple color. Very light colored Amethyst, when heat treated becomes a soft minty green color called Prasiolite. I will write more about Prasiolite, at another time. Heat treated Amethyst, will also turn a golden yellow color, called Citrine. I read recently, that 90% of the Citrine on the market today, is actually heat treated Amethyst. To get a natural unheated Citrine is extremely rare. Another very rare form of Amethyst is Ametrine. Ametrine, is part Amethyst and part Citrine. It is natural, and untreated and found primarily in Bolivia, and very little in Brazil. Both of these lovely rings are available for sale, in my Etsy store, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6007466

The first ring, is set in sterling silver featuring a Marquis Amethyst surrounded by pink Sapphires. It is a stunning ring. The second one is also set in sterling silver, featuring a deep rich purple Amethyst. My prices are good, I offer a layaway service, and the very first person to spend 25 dollars, gets a free sterling silver black Sapphire ring.

Marvelous Monday: Etsy Shop Paper Sparrow

This lovely necklace was made by me, and will be added to my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/your_shop.php
I made this lovely necklace, using a glass blue tear drop, Hematite beads, wire, and necklace with magnetic closure. I do not usually work with glass, but I absolutely loved this blue glass bead. The picture does not due it true justice. After taking off the bead caps, I could not fit the Hematite beads on the necklace, so I used very thin wire, and wrapped them to the necklace. The look is actually quite lovely. If you would love to own this lovely necklace, go to my Etsy store. I offer a layaway plan, on all my items.



Today on Marvelous Monday, is the Etsy Shop Paper Sparrow. You can visit Paper Sparrow, by clicking this link http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5680250

Her store features prints of various birds, nature, and other animals. Each print is reasonably priced, and lovely yet simple. She has tons of different options, for sale in her store.

Kunzite From The Spodumene Family

Kunzite is a violet to pink gemstone, first found in 1902, by gemologist G.F. Kunz. Kunzite is a 6 /12 on the Mohs hardness scale, but is very brittle in its internal structure. Extreme care should be taken when setting, and wearing this gemstone. It is a pleochroic gemstone, which means it can exhibit different colors at different angles. Violet, pink, paler shades of violet, clear, and even red can be exhibited. There is a very new find of Kunzite called Patroke Kunzite that comes from Afghanistan. It is the loveliest hottest pink color I have ever seen. I do not own any, as it is very, very expensive. The Kunzite pictured is set in sterling silver, and measures 12mmx10mm, and is oval. Set in a fancy filigree design ring, size 6 1/2. It is a lovely soft lilac color. This is the only piece of Kunzite I have in my inventory. It is available for sale in my Etsy store, missy69. You can view my Etsy mini at the bottom of this blog.