It's Been Awhile - Promoting Myself

Yes, it's been awhile. Bad me, I've been busy. Here's why I'm updating.

 

 

 

 

 

I have the opportunity for the Wardrobe Stylist of 'The Vampire Diaries' to view a piece of my jewelry and possibly include it in the show.  Yes, I'm excited.  Yes, it's already on its way to California.  I expect it to be a month or longer before I actually know.  When I know, you'll know!

What Is It? - White 'Turquoise'

Simply, turquoise is not white.  There are a lot of trade names for mineral out there that will conflict with that, but turquoise is called turquoise because of its color.  When you see something called 'white turquoise' or 'white buffalo turquoise' it is either howlite or magnasite.  People get more money if they tack turquoise on the name.  Real turquoise is not all the same color, but varying shade of blue.   Not white, sorry.

There is the mineral called Sacred Buffalo Turquoise.  This is turquoise, and very rare.  If I got my hands on a piece, I'd never sell it.  You can read about Sacred Buffalo Turquoise here. 

I've got nothing against promoting your goods, but when you get to the point where you are purposely decieving people, it makes me shake my head.  Howlite and magnasite are beautiful all on their own.  If you are lucky enough to have a piece of Sacred Buffalo Turquoise, you are blessed.  If you have the other stuff, don't feel bad.  I see it being sold all over the southwest, and if I say anything, I'm told I just don't know what I'm talking about.  So be it.  When I list a cabochon, I make every effort to be as honest as I can.  I have dyed turquoise and howlite, and I want everyone to know that.

July Sale

For the rest of July, use the coupon code JULY20 and get 20% off!http://www.etsy.com/shop/tradewindsstudios

Happy Summer!

THE Petrified Wood

I saw a cabochon of some stuff called 'Hell's Canyon Petrified Wood' a few weeks ago.  At first glance I thought "This has to be man-made."  On closer inspection, I realized that it wasn't and that it was some of the most amazing lapidary material I'd ever seen.  It is petrified Sequoia and has some of the most beautiful patterns.  Since I have the internet, I did a little research and found the folks that have probably all of this that  exists.  Naturally, I purchased some.

It's even more amazing in person than the pictures I drooled over.  I suppose I sound like an advertisment, but I've been resisiting the urge to hoard this all for myself.  I'm certain I'll make a cab that goes right into my private stash.  Here's the first one I finished -

You can find that here, in my Etsy Shop.  Best of all, if you're a collector or do lapidary, you can get some of your own direct from the source.  Service Station Gems has a wonderful selection of rough, slabs and cabs, plus lots of other beautiful materials.  And they are haveing a sale over the holiday weekend.  You can't get much better than that!

Bad Me!

I have been neglecting my blog for no particular reason.  This weekend I plan a post on some new material I've gotten.  It has an interesting story and I want to share it.

In other news, I will be drawing a winner Monday for my custom cabochon giveaway.  If you purchased from me, commented here or on my Facebook, you are entered.  Check out the link for details.

http://lapidaryart.blogspot.com/2011/05/and-its-giveaway.html

And the forecast says the temperature this weekend will be down into the mid-nineties.  Yay!!