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ABOUT GEMSTONE JEWELRY |
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CORAL Gem Coral is an organic sea gem. Corals are tiny sea animals called polyps which band together to form colonies. Corals secret calcium carbonates, and as a colony grows it forms into a tree like structure. Coral colonies are usually found in warm, shallow water or deep sea colonies. The color of coral ranges from white to pink, orange, red orange and the ox blood color that is the most highly prized coral. Coral has been used in jewelry making since the Iron Age (about three thousand years ago) and in Native American jewelry for about the past 700 years. The Native Americans used colored fragments of the spiny oyster shell from the Gulf of Mexico in their jewelry. The Spaniards noting this habit offered coral as a substitute which the natives readily accepted and continue to use. In the nineteenth century coral was most fashionable between 1830 and 1860 though it was imported to America well into the 1880’s. Children often wore small coral bead necklaces as protection from evil spirits. These necklaces were popular as Christening gifts. Coral from the Mediterranean Sea has traditionally been the most desirable, The sponge coral that I have used is often attached to reefs but is not a rare, valuable or threaten coral. It’s very light for its size and occurs naturally in many shades of red, but may also be dyed.
WHY GEMSTONE BEAD JEWELRY? The sensuous allure of beads has captivated men and women throughout history. Beads of all material have been embraced as amulets, status symbols, religious artifacts, currency, and of course for personal adornment. Beads have been embraced from prehistoric cultures to technologically sophisticated societies. Bead jewelry is more popular today than ever, because it is so versatile. Beads can be worn daily with jeans and a t-shirt or transition to special events. They can be flattering because they draw attention to your face, and they are durable enough to wear with an active lifestyle. (I was fascinated with Senator Clinton’s bead necklace wardrobe on the campaign trail as she sought the nomination for Vice-President. Gemstones must have beauty, durability and rarity. Mary’s Creek designs focuses on the visual elements of color that give each bead its own special attraction and seeks beads 7mm or larger, because as a general rule they are more rare. Finally, gemstone beads offer a more affordable alternative to transparent faceted gems.
WHAT IS A BEAD? Beads are gems (or other suitable material) with holes drilled in them so they can be strung. Though we normally think of beads as spherical, they can be almost any shape, they may or may not have facets, but they must have a drill hole. AMBER Like coral, amber is an organic gem. Amber is the fossilized resin of prehistoric, tropical pine trees that existed anywhere from 25 to fifty million years ago. These trees sweated sap profusely and the sticky aromatic resin flowed down the tree, often encapsulating the flora and fauna of the era. More than 1000 extinct species of insects and leaves have been found in amber and have helped paleontologists reconstruct life on earth. Amber was one of the first substances used for personal adornment dating as far back as the Stone Age. Its influence extended beyond the normal amulets and necklaces however for it was also used as a medium of exchange, in an important commercial link between the northern and southern people of what we know now as Europe. During the Middle Ages amber was the preferred choice for rosary beads and resulted in a near monopoly by certain orders of knights. One of the greatest lost treasures of the western world is the Amber Room which was in Catherine the Great’s palace in Pushkin, outside of St. Petersburg Russia. The Amber room disappeared during World War Two and has not been rediscovered. The story of the search for the Amber Room is detailed in the 2004 book written by Catherine Scott Cark and Adrian Levy entitled “The Amber Room, the fate of the world’s greatest treasure”. In the modern era, amber has always ridden a fashion wave. It was popular in the Victorian era (19th century) and was especially popular in the United States during the 1920’s. During this time amber beads were prevalent, along with cigarette holders and pipe mouthpieces. Amber is warm and silky to the touch and whether it’s the color of whipped honey or fine aged cognac is a wonderful choice for fall’s rich, autumnal hues. The amber beads in this necklace belonged to a missionary who collected many interesting beads. I purchased them from her estate and added the green sea glass to give more impact to the largest nugget. The nuggets are graduated in size and a subtle mixture of cloudy and transparent. Because amber is very light, large show stopping amber nuggets can be comfortably worn. This is a very special piece for women who love amber and would look fabulous on a taller woman.
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