gemstone buying: needle in a haystack

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

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When we tell people that we’re headed to Tucson for gemstone buying in February the response is often “That sounds like so much fun!”. And it’s true, it is SO much fun. Pouring over gemstones, looking for what will inspire a year’s worth of collections – it is one of the adventures of our work. What I struggle to communicate is how vast a task this is. The first year we attended the gem shows in Tucson we had no idea how huge a task it would be. I think a visual always helps.

These photos are essentially a panoramic of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) show, a flagship Tucson show, that we attended yesterday. We will walk and shop ~ 10 of these shows in the 5 days that we are here this year. We are looking for the best, most beautiful, most inspired gemstones in all the world. Akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. We can’t wait to share them with you.

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emerald birthstone jewelry :: re-envisioned

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

The mission for this custom design project, for our client Becky, was to take a number of birthstone keepsake jewelry pieces, and using the emeralds and gold, create a bold and timeless statement piece. The gold from various rings and earrings was mixed karat of 14k and above, and would create contrast with a stainless steel band. There were a variety of emeralds to work with – they were all close in size, and varied in color.

 

Emerald Trio

before

 

Becky described herself as having an asymmetric, architectural, and unadorned aesthetic. She loved our tension-set rings, but as emerald is too soft a stone to withstand the pressures of tension-setting, we devised a ring design to visually mimic the lines of a tension-setting while keeping the delicate emeralds protected. The recycled gold was used to create a raised channel to protect the emeralds, and hammer textured to add depth. We translated these lines onto an asymmetrical pair of earrings as well. Paired with contemporary stainless steel these birthstone mementos are refreshed to their status of cherished adornment.

 

emeralds :: re-envisioned

after: emerald ~ channel-set in recycled gold and stainless steel

This piece will be on exhibit at The Green Show: Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse at the Epic Center . Kalamazoo, MI . September 9-30. Opening reception Friday, September 9th . 5:00-8:00p.

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fall 2011: silver gate collection

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Silver Gate Collection

Last year, about this time, we were packing into our little orange Element for a cross country adventure. A friend was working for the season in Yellowstone, and it was an opportunity for an insiders visit that was not to be missed. As we drove cross country (Michigan to Wyoming) over the span of a few days we watched the palette of the earth and the culture shift and transform. After a tour of Yellowstone we continued on south to the Tetons. Here the flavors of the Southwest had migrated north; naturally tanned and dyed leather, turquoise in it’s nugget form, bright hand-dyed and woven textiles. After sighting one particularly fabulous pair of cowboy boots we knew that the seed for a gemstone collection had been planted. This fall we present the Silver Gate Collection… turquoise, ruby, silver and gold meet rustic deerskin and hand-embossed sterling. May a piece of this collection accompany you on your next adventure.

ruby nugget

raw ruby nugget

chryscolla nugget

chrysacolla in the rough

Corral Ladies Deer Tan Cowboy Boot in Golden Tan w/ Fancy Teal Embroidery

corral cowboy boot, where it started

Find the Silver Gate  Collection online in the kdJ Shop or at your nearest kdJ retailer today.

 

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keeping it fresh for 2010, what’s new from Tucson?

Sunday, February 28th, 2010
new materials - spring 2010

matte crab fire agate, hand-carved serpentine, matte carved aquamarine

Early in February we returned from our yearly gemstone buying adventure. We travel to Tucson, which hosts the largest international gem show, for a few dizzying days of being overwhelmed by the myriad of colors the earth creates, unique cuts and carvings, various finishes… you get the idea. Upon returning from Tucson we’ve been busy at the bench, creating our newest spring lines. As we’re just about to debut our spring collections, we thought we’d give you a sneak peek at the raw materials we’re using right now… just wait until you see the finished product.

A few of the gemstones we’re creating with: (from left to right):

  • matte crab fire agate: Funny name, fabulous stone. This beautiful stone is warm amber oranges, to cool burgundy reds. It has lovely light striations, which lend a crackled appearance. These stands are softly matte finished. We’re working this in as big, chunky necklace strands, and fabulous elongated barrel shapes which make appearances as pendants.
  • hand-carved serpentine: Look, touch, love. Serpentine is a mineral closely related to jade, which gives it the same pleasing properties: it’s soft, even silky to the touch and easily carve-able. And Serpentine comes in a variety of colors, as you see above: cool blues, olive green, yellow or golden, brown, cream or black. Look for these as asymmetrical accents, and landscape-esque (I can make that a word, right?) pendants.
  • matte carved aquamarine: What? Aquamarine? Yes, Aqua it is. Isn’t it fabulous? Possibly my favorite find this year, these huge Aqua beauties are delicious enough to eat. I have never seen matte Aquamarine, and I’ll guess you haven’t either… just one of the reasons I love it! Look for this Aqua to be paired with those Serpentine pendants from above. And don’t forget, Aquamarine is a March birthstone – what timing.

Now that you’ve had a sneak peek at the raw materials it’s time to see the completed creations. For our Southwest Michigan fans, your chance comes this Friday, March 5th, at Kalamazoo’s Art Hop at Food Dance. With unique materials like these, each piece of jewelry is a one-of-kind creation. You’ll want to see the full spring line.

images by kdJ

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the gemstone of the moment: Garnet

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Pomegranate & Garnets

Punica Granatum ("pomegranate") & Garnet

a history of garnets

  • The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word granatus (“gran”) in reference to the Punica Granatum (“pomegranate”) a plant with red seeds similar in shape and color to garnet crystals. Garnet dates back to the Bronze Age and, due to is beauty and durability; it has been popular in both ancient and modern times.
  • In a tradition beckoning from Greek mythology, Garnet is often given as a gift of love and one that is associated with eternity.  As such it is sometimes used as a symbol of trust, devotion and loyalty. In Greek mythology Hades gave pomegranate seeds to Persephone to ensure her return. This tale has led  people to use the gift of garnet  jewelery as a token to ensure the return of a loved one.
  • The garnet is actually a name for a group of silicate minerals that offer a wide range of deep colors. Garnet comes in almost every color, except blue. Below are the names of particular types of garnets and their respective color.
    • Almandite – red, orange-red with brown, purple-red
    • Andradite – black, green, yellow
    • Demantoid – green, yellow-green
    • Grossularite – brown, green, orange-yellow, white, yellow
    • Hessonite – range of orange to brown
    • Malaya – orange, red-orange, yellow-orange
    • Melanite – black
    • Pyrope – red, orange-red, purple-red; all quite dark
    • Rhodolite – purple, red-purple
    • Spessarite – orange-brown, red-orange, yellow, yellow-brown
    • Mandarin – vibrant orange
    • Tsavorite – bright, dark green
    • Uvarovite – range of greens

    • All of these types of garnets share similar chemical and structural properties.

  • Garnets are produced all over the world. From The U.S. (Arizona), South Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil, India, Argentina, Australia, Scotland, Switzerland and Tanzania – this stunning gem is found in many locals.
  • This Valentine’s Day give the gift of a garnet…from kara | daniel!

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