SCIENCE CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY

Why do you fall in love with a certain gemstone, its vibrancy and color? Science cannot explain why a certain gem “speaks to you”.

Although scientists and gemologists devote their careers to unraveling the mysteries of the wonderful gemstones that Mother Nature makes, our response to the beauty of a gem is completely emotional.

However, science can indeed explain how the diamond got its perfect hardness and transparency; how the ruby became incarnidine; how the sapphire mirrors the sky, the daffodil, the peach; how the aquamarine looks like a solidified chunk of the clearest South Sea; how the amethyst exhibits the deepest and most astounding purple like nothing else on earth except certain flowers like clematis or iris. How did lowly copper give birth to treasured turquoise?

When I look into facts about a diamond’s hardness or a gem’s origins, I find a dry pedagogical discussion dealing with the diamond’s atomic structure. The diamond is crystallized carbon, but so is graphite. However, the atomic structure of graphite is incomplete in comparison. To simplify, the forces exerted by the nucleus in each diamond atom are so powerful that nothing but another diamond can break off any of the trillions of atoms joined in the jewel’s perfect structural linkage.

The diamond’s perfection can be explained by words such as octahedron, dodecahedron, electric forces, molecule, electronic shell.

But at the end of the day who cares? We love the diamond, any gemstone, for its perfection and the fact that it could only be revealed by a dangerous process of humans going into the earth–or the sea.

(By the way, pearls are the only precious gem immediately ready to wear.)

For a more complete technical explanation refer to the book Five Centuries of Jewelry by Jean Lanllier, 1983, Arch Cape Press.

Diamonds are nature’s royalty and their powers will never be surpassed. Thrones won and lost, lovers torn apart, lives lost, diamonds are an obsession and a prize.

Where are Bernie Madoff’s diamonds? Gemstones are an age-old way to reduce unwieldy clots of cash into a tiny handful of value, very necessary if a wealthy person is on the lam.

DeBeers no longer owns all gem diamond production. Diamond mines in Canada, Russia, and Brazil now contribute gem quality diamonds. Only 20% of diamonds mined possess gem quality.

Among the most astounding diamonds because of their huge size, are the Cullinan, 530 carats (owned by the Queen of England), the Jonker, 726 carats, the Lesoto, 601 carats.

Pearls have been revered for centuries. The difficulty of

discovering gem quality pearls made them a highly valued jewel.

Out of 10,000 oysters a diver might find one pearl of gem

luster and size.

Pearl mania reached its height during the Roman Empire. Cleopatra wagered with

Mark Anthony that she could serve the world’s most expensive meal,

whereupon she dropped a large pearl into a goblet of wine and drank it.

He conceded.

Unlike gold, other precious metals, and gemstones, the pearl arrives in perfect

condition ready for use.

Pearls were the foundation for Iran’s currency system until the early 1980s.

You can see a photo of the priceless Merman pendant with its huge natural

pearl at http://beadsbymail.com/v&a.htm . This pearl may have come from

a 100-year-old oyster.

The Priceless Merman Pendant

Check out our page to see more treasures from the V & A .

Smaller baroque pearls may have taken the oyster

15 years to make. (Courtesy Victoria & Albert Museum, London)

Here is a likeness of Queen Elizabeth I’s wrist draped in pearls.

Queen Elizabeth Rocked her Pearls!

A natural pearl is an accident. A speck of foreign matter, a grain of sand, a microscopic

sea creature, lodges in certain internal parts of an oyster or mussel. The mollusk deposits

 layers of nacre in order to render the foreign matter harmless.

A perfect 6mm round pearl would be the result of more than 5 years’ growth

in the oyster. Millions of beautiful pearls remain unseen because

no one dived for them.

In the 1920s Cartier sold a strand of naturals for more than a million dollars US.

During the 16th through 19th centuries people thought that consuming pearls contributed to one’s good health.

Much of the above information came from the August 1985 issue of National Geographic Magazine as well as author’s interviews with pearl experts and sellers.

Ben Kingsley’s given name is Krishna Bharti. He’s starring in a new Scorsese film based on the

Dennis Lehane novel Shutter Island.  I read the book and it’s pretty exciting,

since Lehane is one of the finest writers living. Also because he’s a New Englander and may have

based the concept of the  hospital on Shutter Island on the defunct Danvers State Hospital for the Insane (I

believe that’s its name) located close to Boston MA. When I lived in Boston I drove by Danvers State

as it was called and it is a fearsome edifice complete with turrets and bars on windows.

I guess I’m digressing. Anyway, read anything by Lehane you can get your hands on, all

of his books are in your public library. Leonardo DiCaprio is also starring in the film.

As soon as it’s released here in Colorado Springs I plan to see it.

I’m not planning to see Avatar. Does that mean I’m a philistine?

Cirque du Soleil invented its own language which the musicians

sing.

Hand drumming: I am doing it! What fun and a great way to relax with new

friends. We’re performing in a concert in April. I’ll be playing Brubeck’s Blue Rondo

Alla Turk as well as tom toms, snare, and congas. Hey bop a ree bop

Here are some original jewelry designs by me, which you can find on my site. (Over $50.00) Below is a

necklace part of a 4-piece set.

Lovely 4-piece set of tourmaline, quartz, sterling

Here’s where you can see my designs UNDER $50.00.

Colorful Gem Agate One of a Kind Gem

Take a Look, these are all original designs by me, available immediately!

You’ll also find wonderful VINTAGE designer jewelry here.

Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace

http://beadsbymail.com

Gee this is FUN!

Best to you,

Jane

Just a note about the time I wasted looking for air fare

on the well-known sites like Travelocity,

Expedia, Orbitz, et al. I tried booking a

flight from Denver to NYC for $239,

which was a pretty good price, and before I could

finalize the booking, Travelocity notified me that

“We’re sorry–the fare for that trip is now $500.32.”

How aggravating! I went to United.com and booked

the flights and times I wanted for $289

(without scrolling through endless lists of information),

and was also able to choose my seat. I’ll be able to check in online

as well, the day before. If you’re thinking about finding

a cheaper flight on one of the non-airline web sites,

check the price on your preferred carrier first. You

just might get the best price by going “direct”.

I admire his longevity and youthful carriage. I am wondering, if his good healthis a result in part, of the calorie restriction he experienced while incarcerated?Medical professionals believe that undernourishment leads to a longer life. At least in labroatory animals.

There have been a couple notable auctions of Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry. One was at Christie’s in New York on April 9, 2001.  The highest price paid was $4,700.00 for a faux gem-set belt of rubies and sapphires set in gunmetal (length 31 inches–I’d wear it as a necklace!). It is said that the Duchess of Windsor was biuried in a KJL belt. Creepy?

The ornate Jackie O necklace and earrings went for a bargain $646.00 (earclips not shown). These are available by special order through Beads by Mail. Call Jane at 800-572-7920 if interested. My price is lower!

KJL duplicated a precious gem necklace presented to Jackie by Ari.

Also available in turquoise, sapphire, and other colors.

The auction included very few pins or rings; most lots were necklaces, bracelets or earclips. There were a total of 184 lots. This was pre-Euro, foreign buyers paid in DM, Francs, Lira.

The second auction occurred after Jackie’s death in April 1996. More on that later.

“A man must have aunts and cousins, must buy carrots and turnips, must have barn and woodshed, must go to market … must saunter and sleep and be inferior and silly.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

So there you have it, permission from no less a serious thinker than Emerson to act silly!

Some years back I took a few oil painting classes.

The painting I did of a pair of pears turned out well

enough to frame. Now I am starting again. The first step

was to read everything I could about oil painting.

Landscapes, still lifes, color mixing, types of brushes,

oil colors, portraits, painting children … the list goes on. Lots

of very talented painters have written useful books, which lead

to other books, museums, etc.

I’ve been a jazz pianist all my life, and am encouraged by the thought

that many musicians pursued other art forms. Tony Bennett for example,

an accomplished oil painter. I saw a list of other living musicians

who painted or sculpted. I found a list of workshops led by recognized

artists and plan to attend as many as I can afford. They aren’t cheap, but

the results make them worthwhile. (When I add up the money I invested on

music lessons …)

This new challenge will keep me young! To stay vital and alert into your sunset,

try new things, always learn, and keep moving (so says Dr. Oz!). Living here in Colorado Springs,

it’s easy to get outside and enjoy the scenery. Here’s the pear painting I mentioned

above. I think the frame suits it well. Also a silly shot of my adorable grandkids,

whom I plan to paint later this year, after a couple of workshops.

My first oil painting that I like

LUSCIOUS RED NATURAL CORAL

I have too many beads! Here is a gorgeous strand of red Mediterranean

all natural coral, I found when looking for another item,

in a hard-to-get 5mm size, that would make a standout

necklace. I have seen these for sale at up to $450.00. The natural red coral

is getting extremely rare. If you like these, get more info on my web page.

Luscious, rare coral perfectly round & matched.

Gotta go, havent eaten yet & it is almost 1 PM. Love to blog. Happy Sunday, everyone!

PS. Started attending a drumming class. What fun!

I had a good idea. I have a lot of small quantities of gemstone beads,

pendants, millefiore charms, etc. I made some GRAB BAGS

with a variety of very pretty and useful beading components and findings.

Here’s a sample, and you can order on this page.

Pearl AssortmentLots of goodies here!

Lots of goodies here for little money!

Each baggie sells for $5.99 plus $3.00 postage. A good value!

Happy Creating,

Jane