Rubies

Among gemstones the ruby is considered to be the most powerful and is associated with the astrological signs, Leo, Scorpio and Cancer.

Prior to 1800 all red gemstones were thought to be rubies, many have since been found to be spinel or garnet. Rubies are from the Corundum mineral family and are the red variety of that family, other colors being sapphires, thus all rubies are sapphires but only red sapphires are rubies.

Corundum are notable for their hardness and rubies have a Mohs scale hardness rating of 9 making them one of the hardest gemstones, only moissanite and diamond are harder. Corundum can be literally defined as ruby, the origins of the name coming from the Sanskrit word kuruvinda and the Tamil word kuruntam.

Some famous rubies include the 137 carat Rosser Reeves Star Ruby, the 100 carat Edith Haggin de Long Star Ruby, the 167 carat Edward Ruby.There is also the Peace Ruby that upon discovery was 43 carats, cut to a finished 24 carats. The Peace Ruby, another interesting ruby, was unearthed in the Mogok valley on June 30, 1919 and gained it's name because it was discovered two days after signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919 at the end of World War I.

Metaphysically rubies are said to be able to reduce negative thoughts, bring love of self and of spirit, and inspire courage, confidence and loyalty. People who own or wear rubies are said to be peaceful and content and rubies are notably given as gifts in friendship.

Rubies are also very prominent in religious history as well as Greek mythology.

Amazonite

Amazonite, a semi-opaque blue/green stone with occasional iridescent luster or schiller and white inclusions, is a variety of microline feldspar with a Mohs scale rating of 6-6.5 and is named after the Amazon River.

There is a Brazilian legend that tells of warrior women, the Amazons, who gave green stones to their male visitors that is thought to have been amzonite but was more likely jade. Interestingly, although it is named for the Amazon River and has a place in the river's lore amazonite is not found there. It is mainly found in the United States and Australia but can also be found in Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, and Namibia.

Amazonite is sometimes referred to as the "Hope Stone", is said to bring luck and is associated with the zodiac sign Virgo.

It is also said to pacify and soothe, enhance creativity, promote kindness, dispel negative feelings, give physical strength, improve self confidence and self expression and balance male and female energies. The deeper the color of the stone the more power it will have in respect to these metaphysical properties.

Meet Nightsky Jewelry~ Sharon Burgess

Interview with NightskyJewelry~Sharon Burgess

AJG:Where are you from, and what are one or two things you like about it?
NSK:I've lived all over the country including Alaska, but Utah has always felt the most like home, I'm not sure why. I don't fit in with most of the people (I'm not a Mormon or a Republican) so I guess it must be the mountains that keep me here! Salt Lake City is in a gorgeous valley at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, and it's really beautiful. Unless you're here when we're stuck in an inversion and you can't see through the brown air, but let's not talk about that!

AJG:How would you describe your style of jewelry?
NSJ: I like simple designs, so most of my work is clean without much to draw attention away from the gemstones I'm using. I use uncomplicated wire wrapping, and I also enjoy bending, twisting, and hammering silver wire into interesting shapes and designs from which to hang stones. I make mostly earrings with an occasional necklace or pendant thrown into the mix. There seems to be an old hippie chick living inside of me who pops out every now and then and takes over. When that happens, it's pretty evident.

AJG:What hobbies, sports, or other leisure time activities do you enjoy most?
NSJ: This time of year I enjoy doing a bit of gardening, both veggies and flowers. I'm not very good at it, but it's fun. I love to travel! Someday I would like to get rid of my house and just boogie around the world a few times. I enjoy movies, reading, theater, music (classic rock is my noise of choice) and playing on the internet. But my favorite hobby is making jewelry! It amazes (and flatters) me that I can actually do it, and make a little money at it. At least enough to feed my bead addiction.

AJG:What do people like most about you?
NSJ: Wow, you would have to ask them. Maybe my sense of humor, but it's possible that I think I'm way funnier than they do.

AJG:What is one of the most creative things you’ve ever done?
NSJ:I made my sister's wedding dress. What was I thinking? What was SHE thinking?

AJG:Do you have a favorite jewelry designer?
NSJ: I've worked with many very talented jewelry designers and goldsmiths in the Salt Lake Valley for the past 30 years, having done their custom wax work until about 2001. Except for them, I don't even know the names of any jewelry designers. Yes, I live in my own small world. ;-)

AJG:What do you want to be doing ten years from now?
NSJ:I would like to be retired and rich, traveling around the world. But are you talking reality? In that case, I just hope my eyes and hands still work well enough to play with wire and gemstones! And I hope my daughters and grandsons will still like to hang out with me whenever we're in the same city, at the same time.

AJG:Is there anything else we should know?
NSJ: Nope!

February Challenge First Sign of Spring

It's Challenge Time at AJG! February's Challenge is First Sign of Spring.
This month has entries that again will be very difficult to choose just one!
Voting will take place until Midnight (EST) on the 28th~Please see poll in side bar to the right.






From Twigs and Heather:

. Last Days of Winter- Twig with Buds






From TeresaBoland:

. Happy Spring





From simplyuniquejewelry:

. Bursting Spring






From SilverRiverJewelry:

. Spring is coming.






From RenzianniDesigns:

. First Sign of Spring Earrings





From Popnicute:

First Sign of Spring
.





From FlybirdDesigns:
. Leaves and Beads Pendant





From Cyndiesmithdesgins:
Mother Nature-Spring
.




From JewelrybySandy:
. Spring Hat




Thank you for looking and voting~
Good Luck to all.
Stay tuned for the results!