July's Birthstone: Firecracker Red Ruby

July's birthstone is ruby.

Given that July is host to the all-American 4th of July celebrations -you could say the July born are just like firecrackers!

Equally so, this red gemstone was named for one of Rome's biggest historical firecrackers, the dictator Julius Caesar, who died in a pool of his own blood. A rich blood red, the ruby is said to contain such heat that dropping it in a glass of water would make the water boil -now that it HOT!

July Birthstone Earrings

Crystal Ruby Gemstone Earrings (EBC106)

The fiery crimson red of the ruby is representative of love and passion, which also makes it a popular alternative to the classic diamond engagement ring. In fact, Fergie, the Duchess of York received a ruby engagement ring from Prince Andrew. Rubies arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and are said to be called the "king of gems" because it was believed to protect its wearer from evil. In fact, rubies were worn by royalty as a talisman against evil.

Ruby is the red variety of the gems species corundum and is found as crystals within metamorphic rock. Its durability is second only to diamonds and the fact that it does not require special care, makes it a highly prized jewel for everyday wear.

To find a flawless ruby is nearly impossible. As well, clarity is not the most important factor is determining a good quality ruby -it's the color. The richer the red, the more costly the gem. The most prized color is a medium or medium dark vivid red or slightly purplish red. A ruby is considered a Sapphire in any color except red. In essence, Ruby is a Sapphire, since both are identical in all properties except for color.

There is a special glow to a ruby -literally. The chromium present in the natural reddest of rubies cause a red fluorescence, or 'glow', which is stimulated by UV (ultraviolet) light. Since ancient times, stories abound of rubies being self-luminous and are often called the "glowing stone" or "lamp stone". Greek legends told the story of a female stork, who repaid the kindness of Heraclea by bringing her a brilliant ruby – a ruby so bright that it illuminated Heraclea’s room at night. Fast forward and in 1960, a synthetic ruby was used in the creation of the first laser.

However, long before rubies were used in modern technology, their special allure was purely for their believed symbolic qualities. Used in everything from ruby beaded jewelry to one of the gemstones used on the breastplate of Aaron. It was believed that the ruby held the power to warn its owner of coming misfortunes, illness, or death, by turning darker in color. More notably, Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, predicted her downfall after seeing the darkening of her ruby.

From its history to modern times, this intensely red and passionate July birthstone continues to be a cherished treasure worn by all, especially when used in birthstone jewelry.

--------------------------
July Birthstone Earrings: Crystal Ruby Gemstone Earrings (EBC106)
Handmade beaded gemstone earrings designed with ruby Swarovski Crystals, pink dyed agate gemstones, sterling silver bead caps, beads and .925 Bali spacers on sterling silver french ear wire hooks. The length is 1-1/4" from the bottom of the ear wire.

Loss of Brother Awareness Earrings -Loss of Sister

Today, June 13th, is what would have been my brother, Eddie's 48th birthday, had he received the double lung transplant that he needed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDDIE!!

As I always do, I visited him today and brought him yellow pom daisies. To this day, I'm not quite sure why, but I've always brought him yellow flowers. They can't be any other color. From his end to the end of my days, I will always miss him. Time may have healed my broken heart but the loss was just as raw as it was sixteen years ago.

Onyx Heart Loss of Brother Awareness Earrings (E263-LB)

Over the years, I have created many jewelry designs that were inspired by him. But the latest inspired awareness design is truly special because they represent the sorrow, loss, love and memory of our siblings past. Black is the nationally recognized color for LOSS, with appropriately, blue representing a male sibling and pink a female sibling.

The color blue (when paired with black) actually represents awareness for the loss of brother, loss of father, loss of son and/or loss of male.

Onyx Heart Loss of Sister Awareness Earrings (E263-LP)

The pink color (when paired with black) represents awareness for the loss of sister, loss of mother, loss of daughter and/or loss of female.

To best represent my loss, I've dubbed them the sibling awareness earrings, but, the colors can, and do, represent the loss of any familial relation.

At this time, both of these exquisite new awareness earrings have been added to our ever growing awareness jewelry collection.

These handmade beaded earrings design feature a black onyx gemstone heart bead, sterling silver twisted rings with, either a single blue or pink Swarovski Crystal on french ear wires. The earrings measure 1-1/4" from the bottom of the ear wires.

During the design process, I felt the twisted rings represented how entwined our lives are with those we have lost -a circle that has no beginning -no end.

If you are looking for a matching handmade beaded necklace or beaded bracelet, please feel free to contact me about custom jewelry.

June Birthstone Article - Pearls

Pearls: Classic and Stylish
by Linda Blatchford

Pearls are June Birthstones: along with Pearl, Moonstone (Traditional: Alexandrite).

There is so much history about pearls that five (5) months claim them as their birthstone: February, April, June (traditional), July and November.

Pearls are an astral stone for the signs Gemini and Cancer are linked to the moon.

Pearls have been called the "teardrops of the moon". Some believe that pearls were formed by the passage of angels through the clouds of heaven.

Spiritual Benefits of wearing pearls:

* Stimulates spiritual transformation
* Promotes prosperity and success
* Encloses you with an aura of calm and beauty
* Helps with stomach, digestion and emotional stress
* Amplifies focus, meditation skills and wisdom
* Helps balance the solar plexus chakra

Over time, the pearl has become the symbol of purity and innocence and it is often sewn into bridal gowns, or worn as jewelry by the bride.

Pearls are classic, elegant and may be expensive. They are very popular at the Gem Shows.

Queen Alexandra’s Pearls*

Most fine jewellery in the 1900s was white and made from either diamonds or pearls. Queen Alexandra initially wore dog collar chokers, called a ‘collier de chien’ to cover a small scar on her neck.

For state occasions and formal events she plastered herself in arrangements of pearl necklaces. The rarity value of real pearls then was such that an American skyscraper exchanged hands for the price of a pearl necklace. This is not as ridiculous as it seems, since fine south sea pearls still command a high price.

Pearls were very fashionable, but still very, very costly. After the 1890s, Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan, produced highly acceptable cultured pearls by placing a small bead into an oyster shell. The bead coated itself with nacre (mother of pearl) and so good looking pearl jewels became more affordable.

Various combinations of pearl necklaces come in and out of fashion with regularity so pearls too are a must. Both fake and real freshwater or cultured pearls are very affordable today. The price of pearls has dropped by about a fifth in the past 10 years and the Chinese are making waves in the pearl world with their cheaper prices. The Japanese have suffered disease in their pearl beds as well as facing competition and are finding it hard to compete with China’s prices.

Value of Pearls

In the early 1900's, the financier Morton F. Plant exchanged the building for a Cartier two-strand Oriental pearl necklace much coveted by a woman he admired.

A pearl is judged by its luster, size and markings. Although baroque, or unevenly formed, pearls have often been popular, it is the perfectly round ones that are now most desired. The best have a creamy, slightly pinkish glow. Black pearls (actually, a sort of silver-gray shade) are also coveted. Pearls are measured in millimeters, with 7 to 7.5 considered respectably modest while something larger than 10 millimeters becomes pretty important. For the last 70 years, they have been "farmed," which means the deformities have been given a helping hand. These pearls are called cultured, and today natural pearls are extremely rare.

Most of the cultured pearls, Mr. Mondschein says, come from Japan, while the largest ones come from the South Seas, Burma, Tahiti and Australia. Pearls should always be kept in a soft pouch; they can be professionally cleaned with soap and water. "But spray perfume is the killer," says Mr. Mondschein. "I’ve seen people ruin pearls that way. And once the bloom is off the pearl, it can never come back."

~ Handmade Beaded Earrings (shown above) ~

Swarovski Pearl Bali Stack Beaded Earrings (E251)
SOLD
Handcrafted beaded earrings feature beautiful bridal white Swarovski Pearls separated by elegant .925 Bali and finished with sterling silver earwires. Length is 1" from bottom of earwire.

Courtney's Custom Lavender Prom Jewelry Design Process

It's always exciting and an honor to create custom crystal jewelry whether it be for brides, weddings, prom or senior ball!

Recently, a lovely young lady, Courtney, requested a jewelry set to compliment her lavender prom gown. In our initial conversations, she mentioned the dress was a sweetheart neckline and was lavender in color. I suggested with that type of neckline, a drop necklace always looks nice. Of course, chandelier earrings are always stunning!

It wasn't until weeks later that I was able to finally see the dress...and I was a little surprised. The dress was loaded with crystals on top! Courtney had never mentioned the top of the dress was that embellished. This was going to be a challenge. But, I love a challenge!

I gave some style advice that with a dress that embellished, it's always a better option to go with a nice pair of chandelier earrings and maybe a cuff style bracelet. But...the customer had other ideas. She was set on a necklace.

Fioni Night Metallic Pumps

Finishing off her outfit were silver shoes.

Courtney told me she would not only be wearing them to her prom and her boyfriends' senior ball (a week later), but also to an August wedding she is in!

Now that is getting your use out of one pair of shoes!! You go girl!

The shoes were absolutely lovely and were perfect for the sterling silver metals I planned on using in the jewelry pieces.


Armed with this information, I focused on the detail at the top of the dress. It took me many, many times to get a decent enough photo to showcase the variety of crystal cuts in the top.

Of all the crystals in the top of the dress, none of them were true Swarovski Crystals, so it was unlikely I'd find anything like them to create complimentary jewelry.

So, I instead focused on (1) the lavender color of the gown and; (2) the cut of one crystal on the top of the dress (see the arrow in the picture to the left).

The closest Swarovski Crystal bead cut would be the Cosmic Crystal.

The final design specs:
1) A Y-style crystal necklace;
2) Drop earrings (no chandelier);
3) Sterling Silver metal;
4) Incorporate lavender colored crystals

Let the challenge begin!

Stay tuned for the fully finished prom jewelry set, along with Courtney's Prom pictures. Thank you Courtney for allowing me and Crystal Allure Jewelry to be a part of your special prom day.

Browse more Custom Prom Jewelry and then contact me to discuss a custom design for your special event.

Updated 4/11/15: Check out Courtney's Custom Lavender Crystal Prom Jewelry Set