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Archive for April, 2010

ELEMENTS OF GEMSTONES

April 20, 2010 | Filed under: Elements of Stones

This is a first of a series of posts that will list stones and some of the attributes that they are said to possess besides of course enhancing one’s beauty. Many people wear particular stones because of the inherent benefits that they believe that stones have.
The first grouping will be gemstones that are well known and then as I write about others, I will add images.

DIAMOND (known as a girl’s best friend)
– enhances strengths and weaknesses.

RUBY (red)
-helps in matters of love

SAPPHIRE-(blue as well as other colours, e.g. pink, yellow)
-clears unwanted thoughts

EMERALD-(green)
-brings domestic bliss and loyalty

TOPAZ
-promotes empathy

AMETHYST-(lavender to purple)
-calming, facilitates decision-making

Posted by Stephanie @ 5:50 pm | Comments

DUNDAS VALLEY SCHOOL OF ART AUCTION is OVER!

April 11, 2010 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Yesterday, we attended the 40th Annual Art Auction at the Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA)-a major fundraiser. There were hundreds of pieces available for the silent auction (8 of mine in the jewellery division) and 52 in the live auction.

This was our first time at this event altho we have often submitted bids in the silent auction section in years past. The offerings included paintings, pottery, sculptures, textiles, etchings, jewellery, glassworks, and so on. So the proverbial “something for everyone!” The oldest piece (1939) was an oil of a Quebec scene by Willard Morse Mitchell. He is known for his miniature watercolours. My son and his wife have several of these and they are quite delightful.

This was fun evening and it was informative, as we discussed art works with many different people. There were 3 pieces that we would have liked to own in the live auction but they were sold at prices beyond our budget. So another learning curve for us. It was a cool start to this auction but everything quickly heated up and prices were quite high I thought. But I am not that informed especially about contemporary art, so perhaps not. Anyway it was evident that art is hot! hot! hot!

A wood cut that I particularly wanted went at a price beyond what I was willing to pay. I had researched the artist and liked his work. The only gratifying thing was that an art appraiser indicated that it went for far more than it should have. But then this is the nature of auctions, isn’t it-to create a tension, and a need to win!! I think that the DVSA had a very successful fundraising event.

I did get 2 pieces in the silent aucton-an etching (and not for a lot of money) of Pines by Alice Branwell who is British and a small green oil of houses that spoke to me (this was a lot of money). Unfortunately another person wanted the oil as well and we spent the last 2 minutes before the closing of the bids, trying to outnumber each other. I won but I am not sure if I really did altho my philosophy is that sometimes you get a bargain and sometimes you don’t and in the end everything averages out!!

It is a small painting in green, and I do like it very much. And there is another painting on the other side. Now I have to decide which side I prefer. All in all a great evening and an event that we will attend again, hopefully more informed about art.

Posted by Stephanie @ 10:55 pm | Comments

AMBER

April 10, 2010 | Filed under: Amber

Everyone should have a piece of amber in their jewellery collection, even men. There are wonderfully designed rings and bracelets that men could wear.

Amber, altho considered a gemstone and used for thousands of years in jewellery (in Egypt and Crete, for example), is actually organic and is a tree resin which has become fossilized over millions of years.

Amber can develop an electric charge when rubbed so our word for “Electricity” comes from the Greek word for Amber which is “Electron”.

Most of us think that Amber is one colour, but there are actually many variations in colour-and it can be clear or opaque and may even have bits of fossilized plant or insect material in it.

Depending on the book that is read (one source says that there are over 250 colours), Amber varies in colour from yellow to brown or reddish brown. It can be green, blue, or have no colour. Butterscotch or buttercup Amber (an opaque yellow) and Cherry Amber (a reddish more transparent colour) are common terms and easily recognizable.

Baltic Amber is considered some of the best, but Amber from the Dominican Republic (a more recent find) is also considered desirable.
Amber has been found in Brazil as well. So now there are many sources including Britain, Russia, Romania, etc.

As with many gemstones, it pays to know your jeweller or supplier. Amber pieces can be reconstructed from amber bits-still true amber and still looks lovely-but you should know. Price is always a factor with amber. If it is very inexpensive, then it is likely reconstructed.

A few facts:-Amber is the lightest of weight of all gems; it is the only gem which is warm and feels good to the touch; Amber is the stone for the 10th wedding anniversary.

Amber is considered to have many attributes that help with health. It is considered a powerful healer; can alleviate stress;can create a comfortable feeling of warmth, health and well-being in the wearer. I know of one individual who upon waking, put on an Amber necklace for some of these reasons. Do research the powerful effects that Amber can have upon your health. I have just touched on a few.

Amber has been traditionally paired with silver in jewellery. In my inventory, I have Baltic, Dominican Republic, Brazilian and Russian Amber. Even some reconstructed pieces which I always identify.
If you look at my Gallery, the necklace with one large piece of Red Coral is finished with Dominican Amber. This Amber has a delicious reddish colour that complements the Coral. It has a new owner now, I am pleased to say.

At the BEYOND THE VALLEY STUDIO TOUR at the end of MAY, I will have a number of pieces in Amber.

Posted by Stephanie @ 11:54 am | Comments


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