Gemstone Spotlight- Agate

A hard stone, usually within the range of 7-9 on the Mohs scale agates are found in all colors of the rainbow, although green and blue are quite rare. Agate is a variety of chalcedony formed from layers of quartz which usually show varicolored bands. It usually occurs as rounded nodules or veins.

Often tiny quartz crystals form within the stone and add to the beauty and uniqueness of individual stones. These crystals are called drusy (sometimes misspelled as druzy). Lapidaries often cut just the drusy from an agate and jewelers use these drusy cabochons as the main stone or as an accent stone in their jewelry designs.

Some named varieties are: moss agate, eye agate; and plume agate, which looks like it's filled with beautiful feather plumes.

Agate is a relatively inexpensive stone except for some varieties with unusual banded or scenic markings. In recent years, Montana agate has gained wide acceptance in jewelry and well cut stones with nicely defined patterns often exceed the price of some of the more well known gemstones. Plume agate is another that often brings high dollar.

Agate is found all over the world including: the Africa, Asia, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, and the USA.

Agate is the Mystical birthstone for September. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Gemini. Agate is the accepted gemstone for the 12th and 14th wedding anniversaries.

Black & White @ 1000 Markets

Windy City Market @ 1000 Markets

Featured Shops:

Chic Boutique Bags

Unique & Lovely ..... ChicBoutique bags are made with real life in mind. I enjoy creating functional items with beautiful fabrics for you to enjoy every day. I hope you find something you like in my collection.

Isette

I am inspired by the world around me. And I am fortunate that the world around me includes a 100+ year old museum collection that I'm given free reign over and a typography obsessed graphic designer husband. Design and Victoriana meet here, with a splash of whimsy.

Additions

A collections of jewelry that gives you the look of silver jewelry, is affordable, and created from repurposed hardware finds.

diffraction

My shop came from a love of photography and wanting to be able to share that with people in a different fashion. My jewelry features my fine art photography in a smaller, wearable way. Just like their larger counterparts, they are striking images meant to capture the imagination, inspire and reexamine your world.

Decorative Insticts

Decorative Instincts specializes in fashion-forward accessories for the home. All items are designed by the owners and hand crafted in our Chicago studio. Our love of textiles and beautiful embellishments make the difference in our designs. We believe even the most mundane items should be beautiful and reflect your personal style. Our goal is to help you create your ideal environment.

Wear it Out Market- Coffee Anyone?

Cafe au Lait - Coffee Caramel and Cream - Striped Felted Shrug from Titania Blossoms

Artistic Jasper and Moongate Agate Necklace from Preserve Jewelry Studio

Detachable Cork Wristlet from Cork and Cotton

EcoCuff - Double Folded Brown Leather with Metal Ring from Greenbelts

Supply Spotlight: Jump Rings

Jump Rings are a very popular and useful connector used in jewelry making. They come in all different kinds of materials including silver, gold, brass, base metal, silver plated, and color coated. Jump rings also come in various different sizes ranging from 2mm to 1cm and above. Although it’s possible to make your own jump rings most people buy them fairly cheaply at jewelry supply stores in packages of 100 or more. They often cost from $1.50 to $3.00 per package.

How to Open a Jump Ring

The best way to open a jump ring is by pushing one end forward and the other in the opposite direction.This is so it won't distort the original circle.

You can do using a flat-head plier on one side and the tip of your thumb and forefinger on the other.
Or you can use two sets of pliers. Close the same way.

Not like this.

Creative Uses of Jump Rings

Resources:

Jewelry Trend: Resin Jewelry 101

Resin jewelry is made from liquid plastic that turns solid when a hardener is added. Because of its versatility, lightness, and affordability, plus the introduction of easy to mix, low-odor products, resin’s popularity as a material for jewelry making has soared. Materials needed can be found at most craft stores.

Things you'll need:

• Two-part epoxy resin
• Disposable plastic cups
• Craft sticks
• Resin mold
• Small beads, glitter, plastic stickers
• Earring hooks or necklace bail

Step 1

Mix one part resin to one part hardener in a plastic cup. Stir with a craft stick for 2 minutes. Pour the resin into a second cup and stir with a fresh craft stick for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 2

Fill your resin mold halfway. Allow the resin to sit in the mold for 3 to 5 minutes for the bubbles to settle.

Step 3

Place any inclusions you would like in your finished jewelry into the molds. Small beads, glitter and plastic-coated stickers work well. Any nonporous item can be placed in resin.

Step 4

Finish filling the molds with resin. Cover the mold and allow to dry for 24 hours.

Step 5

Pop the jewelry pieces from the mold when the resin is dry by lightly pressing on the back. Glue your earring hooks or necklace bails to the jewelry.

Resin Jewelry Resources

Retro Owl Earrings

I just made and listed some new earrings in my Etsy and 1000 markets shops. They are the cutest, if I do say so myself. I got these fab little plastic owls from snew. I love the retro design and they are totally in keeping with my surroundings of late. (see previous post for more on that :)

I have them listed in the color combinations I like best but they can be mixed and matched. I'll be ordering more owl cabochons soon and hopefully will have even more colors to choose from.

Great for young girls or the young at heart!