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| For sale at Just Jewellery |
Bead Day. Sculpture by Kevin Francis Gray
Saturday, March 7, 2015
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| The statue of a young woman, facedown and veiled by a stream of glass crystal beads, is an interesting work of art known as Ghost Girl by London-based sculptor Kevin Francis Gray. |
Gallery of sold one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces
Friday, March 6, 2015
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| The pendant is made of brass, copper and silver. The stone is natural amethyst |
Jewellery tip. Transparent blue stones
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Do you like jewellery with blue stones? Then this blog post is for you!
If you shop for sapphires because you like blue stones that does not mean your only choice is expensive jewellery. Ask about your options! There are a few nice blue stones out there that you can choose from.
Sapphire
Not all sapphires are expensive. They come in a range of qualities. Not so high quality of sapphire can also mean that the design options are less limited. I have these earrings as a sample. Could you imagine a price on them if all the sapphires here were of high quality? The earrings would not be made of silver and they would not be your "every day" jewellery. Earrings like these can be dressed up or dressed down.
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| Silver earrings with dumotorite, sapphires and black spinel |
Kyanite
Kyanite takes its name from the Greek word kuanos sometimes referred to as "kyanos", meaning deep blue. This stone can easily be confused with a sapphire if it is top quality. Be careful when you are buying sapphires from a place that you cannot trust 100%. This stone is known to be sold as a sapphire by a non-reliable sellers. It is a very beautiful stone, but it is much cheaper and not as hard as a sapphire. It should not be used in a ring or a bracelet.
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| Silver pendant with gem quality kyanite |
Iolite
The name "iolite" comes from the Greek word for violet. Iolite also has a commercial name "water sapphire" that is used by the sellers who are trying to sell it for more than it is worth. Gem quality iolite varies in color from sapphire blue to blue violet to yellowish gray to light blue as the light angle changes. Iolite is sometimes used as an inexpensive substitute for sapphire.
Iolite also comes in a range of qualities. It is a lot cheaper than sapphire, so you actually want the highest quality of iolite that you can get.
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| Hand engraved silver earrings with iolite |
Apatite
Apatite is derived from the Greek απατείν (apatein), which means to deceive or to be misleading, as it was often mistaken for other minerals.
Apatite rarely comes in gem quality. Transparent green stones are known as asparagus stone, and blue stones have been called moroxite. It is not a hard stone so it should be used in the earrings and pendants only. The blue apatite comes in dark or light blue. Both shades are very pretty.
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| Starfish earrings with apatite |
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| Silver earrings with apatite and green calcedony |
Blue topaz
Topaz makes an ideal gem. A good hardness and desirable colors, combined with a relative abundance and availability makes it one the most popular gemstones. Natural shade of blue topaz is very light. However, treated topazes come in a few different shades of blue. This color in my sample is called "swiss blue" and it is the most popular among the buyers. I also like "london blue" that is a bit darker. It is a bit rarer too, perhaps due to its price as it is more expensive than the "swiss blue" topaz.
I found a good article about the topazes used in jewellery. It describes all colors as well as the false names.
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| Silver locket with blue topaz |
Aquamarine
Aquamarine (from Latin: aqua marina, "water of the sea") is a blue or cyan variety of beryl. The colors range from the light sky blue to the deep blue of the sea. This gem can be top quality and good enough to be faceted and sparkle in gold and have diamonds to compliment it; or it can be an art cabochon stone that has interesting inclusions and different shades of blue and green colors in it. I personally love it in any form, shape and quality.
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| Aquamarine pendant with a seahorse |
Tourmaline
Tourmaline comes in a very wide variety of colors. Blues are rear, but possible to find. Some can be confused with sapphire. The rarest blue tourmaline is called paraiba after the place where it is found. Paraiba tourmaline is the most expensive among other tourmaline colors.
ParaÃba tourmalines appear in a range of greenish blue, bluish green, green, blue, and violet hues. Although buyers covet all these colors, blue and violet have the most appeal. Dealers use a number of names to try to capture the extraordinary quality of ParaÃba tourmaline’s colors. Besides neon, they use terms like “electric,” “turquoise,” “sapphire,” or “tanzanite” blue, and “mint” green. (more information at GIA web-site)  |
| The ParaÃba deposit revealed a range of new tourmaline colors unrivaled for their strongly saturated hues and light to medium tones. Representing the color range are a 2.59-carat turquoise-blue triangle cut, a 3.28-carat electric-blue pear shape, and a 3.68-carat green pear shape. |
I hope this blog post will help you when you are looking for a pretty blue stone jewellery next time. If you have any questions, please, feel free to ask in your comments!
New pendants are available for sale off-line
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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| My new copper pendants with great quotes are available now at the Just Jewellery Gallery |
Get ready for the butterflies coming
Get ready for the butterflies coming by nataliakhon featuring a butterfly necklace with garnet and lapis lazuli
Jewellery Masterpieces. An Edwardian brooch
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
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the filigree, articulated brooch of medal motif, set throughout with European and rose-cut diamonds, accented by cultured and seed pearls, further set with calibré-cut sapphires; accompanied by a 14k white gold convertible necklace chain, set with round brilliant-cut diamonds
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Zodiac Gift Ideas
Sometimes it is hard to come up with an original idea for a gift. I know, I've been there too. What about a zodiac gift? When I asked myself that question, I instantly thought of... cups. That's right, the only "zodiac gift" that jumped into my mind was... rather usual. Is it my only choice, though? I've done my research and found some really unique ideas!
Cups! If you need a small simple gift... why not? They can be very artsy! Also, something might look like a cup, but not be
1) Zodiac Constellation Mug by
2) Zodiac Libra Soy Candle Scented Birthday Gift Box by
3) Tiny Decorative Libra Zodiac Beer Mug by
4) 70s Cancer Mug zodiac sign by
Perhaps, something for a home decor? A clock on a wall or a wall decal?
1) Zodiac wall decal by
2) Libra Constellation Wall Decal by
1) Libra Law Silhouette - Wall Clock by
2) Libra Zodiac by
More zodiac ideas for wall decorations...
1) Wall decor print by
2) Vintage Celestial Map by
3) TAURUS - Zodiac Constellation Original Painting by
4) Horoscope Art by
Wall decor is not only the prints!
Zodiac sign, Libra , hand made of linden wood by
Something that looks like home decor...
Felted Soap Zodiac Signs by
More ideas for home decoration! I think the pillows are awesome, I would have never thought of it myself!
1) Ecliptic Constellations Cushion by
2) Zodiac Cancer Embroidery Decorative Throw Pillow by
This idea is really unique, don't you think?
1) Bedding Set for Child bedding by
2) Art Duvet Cover by
Maybe a plate? I do not know about you, but I personally love to have "my special plate", It comes from my childhood, I think, when I indeed had my special plate :)
It could also be a wall decorative plate for those who collect them.
1) Vintage Hand Thrown Pottery by
2) Wall Hanging Plate or Ashtray by
What else can make their table decor unique? I just see how a usual table decor can become really something special!
1) Constellation Design Coasters Set by
2) Constellation hand stamped coffee spoon by
3) Zodiac Signs Roll Up Placemat Set by
4) Candle holder by
A piece of jewellery that cries "zodiac"... or maybe that is not so obvious? And a jewellery box for it too!
1) Silver necklace with sugilite by
2) Secret Wood Box by
If they like picnics...
Libra Constellation Customizable Etched Stainless Steel Flask by
If they are fashionistas...
Astrology Sign Rhinestone Bling Crystal shirt by
If they collect unique toys...
,Japanese Akabeko made of Japanese kimono fabric by
If they like sewing....
Zodiac Pisces gift by
If they have a smartphone... :)
Smart Spot smartphone stand by
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