Crysallis Creations

SATeam is having a Mother's Day Giveaway Event!

2011-04-02T18:45:00.000+08:00

It's true. Mother's Day is on the 8th of May, so we put our heads together and came up with this fabulous event to give away some handmade jewelry.
There won't be just one winner in the giveaway, but three! You heard right. There will be three gift certificates, one for 100 $, one for 50 $ and one for 25 $.
You can choose one or more items from the different participating shops if you win one of them! Now is that cool or is that COOL?

It's really easy to enter. Go to the team blog, you'll find all the necessary information there!

Holiday seasons....

2010-11-30T11:59:00.004+08:00

A good thing!! For most I guess.... but sometimes during holiday season is the most stressful for me at least!! Especially during Christmas time!! GAH!!

So I think I am fairly prepped for my fund raising event for Make-A-Wish Foundation here at Hong Kong, which will start tomorrow December 1st through the 26th, along with many many other things that's scheduled to be done... o.O

But of course... I had to also play with some blings right? So I did... :P finished with this project that I've been working on on-and-off for a few weeks now I think...

Antiqued Lyra by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

TaDa!!! this is what I've been working on, on and off sort of speak... When I first started the frame work looked like Taj Mahal, then it turned into a flower pot... THEN it turned into looking like lyra! HA

freeform wirearapped with oxydized Sterling Silver wire, GEM Beer Quartz brio, Artisan made boro lampwork by Kristan of Redside Designs, Ruby, Kyanite, Rhodolite Garnet, Peridot, Citrine, Pyrite randomly used... finished with a strip of Native American made leather strip... :)

freeform wirewrapping is not my forte, but sometimes some just asked to be made this way I guess...

BLOG #2 for the day!!

2010-11-21T00:04:00.003+08:00

ah yes.... first off, let's hope I won't give a certain German a heart attack by doing so....

BUT seriously people!! If you haven't check out the Scavenger Hunt held by the Polymer Clay Smoosher Guild on ArtFire, you are REALLY SERIOUSLY missing out on some great prizes!!! I know the keyword FREE means a lot to a lot of people this holiday season, so why not try to win one of these gorgeous artisan crafted piece of jewelry for your mom, daughter, girlfriend, or even for yourself!!! I honestly don't mind owning a few more from these great artisan myself but.... can't be too greedy now can I? So I am willing to share... teehee....

Here are the prizes!!! Aren't they amazing?? You can find more details at their Guild Blog here: http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/2010/11/smooshers-holiday-scavenger-hunt.html and really... it is honestly not as hard as I thought.... and yes I am willing to share and I promise you will not be on my blackbook if you enter!!!

Have fun!!! And good luck!!! :D

My Musing Muse.....

2010-11-20T22:04:00.003+08:00

as most of you know by now, I am basically a hoard.... of all things bling, of all things artistic, of all things handmade. So when I had the opportunity to own a few artisan made filigree that's made by a good friend of mine, I had to jump on such opportunity!!! Meganne Woodland is such an amazing filigree artist that I was proud to call her my friend, and I was ecstatic when I was able to own a few of her pieces, though it's more like a challenge, as she wanted to see what will happen when I work with her pieces, if they'll turn out so different from her own style....

Fairy? by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

So here's what I did. The main focal of this new necklace is on that filigree made by Meganne. The rest just flowed....

I hope you're happy with what I've done Meganne!! XO Thank you! For giving me such a great opportunity to play with one of your gorgeous piece!

Pearls, pearls, pearls

2010-10-24T00:37:00.004+08:00

Do you know the song "Girls, girls, girls" by Sailor? It always takes me back hearing that song. As I'm an oldie listening to the oldie radio station, I hear it quite often.

"Girls, girls, girls. Yellow, red, black or white, add a little bit of moonlight ..." Oh, so no politically correct any more, but hey, those were the 70s.

Funny enough hearing that song today took me to a different road.
How about "Pearls, pearls, pearls. Silver, peach, brown or gold, great to look at and great to hold ...". Oh come on, so I am no song writer. You still get the drift, don't you? I never used to be much of a pearl person. As a cancerian I was always a little disappointed that my birthstone was not even a stone. A sparkly one, preferrably. With a deep color and fire. But no, I got pearls, the stuff that old ladies wore.
I have grown up since. And I have learned. And now - oh, let's stop the talking.

Have a look at these and tell me it doesn't itch in your fingers to use them.

Just click on the picture. You know you want to ....

You'd like to know more about pearls? Check out this post!

Me & Facebook - Romance or Disaster in the making???

2010-10-09T14:59:00.003+08:00

So yeah.... I jumped!! After being nagged and shuffed and pulled and pushed by many many MANY others from all around me, now I am officially on Facebook GASP!!!

and I thought such will happen without too many others noticing...... guess I was wrong... but really! I must have broke some kind of record for spamming all my plurk buddies with my constant nags for helps and ask them to "like" me, etc. etc..... so at the end of the day (24 hours) I was able to manage to set up both fan pages! HA! THANK YOU All suckers!! ROFLL!!!! ah no, really! I really really do appreciate all your help and by not disown me from your plurk friends' list due to my spammy messages through my waking hours.... Thank YOU!! :D

So if you are not yet my "friend" or "fan" on my FB pages yet, please add me! I am fairly sure that I can do a good job entertaining you and spam you occasionally with my shop listings and poke you through the days, all of these entertaining to say the least right?? so look that way -----------------------------> you'll see those lovely widget/badge thingamajig for FB, let's get connected shall we?? And please feel free to link me to your fan page so I can "like" you too!!

Ah 'tis all.... Looking forward to interact with you on FB!! You know you want to know what goes on behind this oh-so-normal head of mine......

Until next time....

XOXO

Gossip Girl....

HAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHA sorry... couldn't resist.... :P

Obsession and Addiction OR The Enabler

2010-10-02T05:56:00.004+08:00

My name is Cat. I don't exactly remember when I met Deb online for the first time. It was on Plurk and even if I didn't know it then, my life has not been the same anymore since.
What I clearly remember was how confused I was reading about "the bukkit" all the time. Where was that mysterious bucket and what was it used for? And why on Earth was it so dangerous to dive into it that people asked for search parties and lifelines before going in there? I was afraid to ask.

And then - it's hard to say, let me take a deep breath first .... then it was time for me to get to know "the bukkit" myself. I had only just started making jewelry a few months ago and there it was, a universe of its own, a universe of light, colors, sparkle in all sizes and shapes. No wonder people needed a lifeline, it was only too easy to forget breathing while browsing.

Since then I have spent many a time not only in the bukkit, but also in Deb's bead shops on Etsy and ArtFire (I haven't even started talking about her jewelry shops yet!). I'm sorry, the following is something I have to say, too. I vowed to myself I'd be honest.

Deb's an enabler. Maybe even THE ENABLER. Yes, in large, red letters.

She's luring me in with beautiful pearls in different sizes and colors. She feeds me with tiny sized multi-colored beads that I need for my pieces of jewelry. She sends me faceted beads that are so lovely that I hide them away for that special piece that my muse has to design first.
And I'm sad to say, I love it.
I'm not even ashamed anymore to dance in front of our house when I pull an envelope from Hong Kong out of my mailbox. I bet the whole neighborhood knows Deb's name by now. They probably even know how crazy, helpful, lovely and hilariously funny she can be because they hear me squeak a lot when I'm plurking.

One thing is not her strength, though. Blogging. Not the writing part itself, I'm sure, but the getting herself to do it. That's why I was here today to put my dirty footprints and fingerprints all over this blog.
Maybe it won't be the last time. And maybe I just lost a person whom I never met and whom I still call a friend. I sure hope not ;-)

Now excuse me, I reminded myself that I haven't been to the bukkit for quite some time. I'll put my diver's suit on and go in. Don't wait for me, it could take a while.

They are calling me, can you hear it .................

WIN Prizes from Masquerade Clay Ball from Polymer Clay Smoosher

2010-10-01T21:34:00.004+08:00

mask by ColtPixy

The Official tone:

As many of you know, the one online social network that I spend a lot of time with is Plurk, and I've had the pleasure of running into and getting to know some great artists and in time become friends with some!! Especially notable is a group of polymer clay artists formed a Guild on ArtFire - Polymer Clay Smoosher. Between you and me, I think this is one of the best Guild on the planet!! Because it's Guild Master is so involved and caring!! Sometimes I wish that I can afford to play with one more craft, just to be involved, know what I mean?

So anyway.... Their annual Masquerade Clay Ball is officially kicked off today!! So starting from October 1st through 31st, we'll be able to feast our eyes on some gorgeously made polymer clay masks from many talented artists!! Comment on their blog for your chance to win some great prizes too!! Check them out at http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/2010/10/welcome-to-masquerade-clay-ball.html ! I hope you'll enjoy this as much as I am!!!

The Truth......

OK! I had to blog for my chance to win one of the many great prizes, so here I am!! Such a seasoned blogger that I am, don't you think? So yup!! READ! Comment!! But please don't do it too often so I can have a better chance to win?? :P

Prize by Haffina

Indentation natural lavender Jadeit necklace

2010-05-23T15:08:00.000+08:00

a new venture, yet the first word that popped into my head is "indentation", thus named as such....

For those that followed my work, you've probably noticed that I've been trying to reinvent how to wear Jadeit pieces from other than the usual designs. And since I've managed to collect quite a few pieces over the years, so definitely with no lack of materials to work with. And this is just another piece from my own collection.

Indentation Necklace detail by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

Natural lavender Jadeit focal, mixed with Moss Aquamarine, Pyrite faceted briolette and rondelles, Garnet rounds, Amethyst onion brios, and a single piece of Watermelon Tourmaline to complete! This entire piece is freeform wirewrapped with Sterling Silver wire, then oxydized to give it more dimension.

Hope you like this!! :heart:

from [link]
indentation [ˌɪndɛnˈteɪʃən] noun
1. a hollowed, notched, or cut place, as on an edge or on a coastline
2. a series of hollows, notches, or cuts
3. the act of indenting or the condition of being indented
4. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) Also called indention indent the leaving of space or the amount of space left between a margin and the start of an indented line

Indentation Necklace by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

I am blogging!!!!!

2010-05-16T18:52:00.003+08:00

very much an inside joke.... but then again, for those who even bother to follow my blog will know that I am so not an avid blogger... Seems like by the time I want to update I've already ran out of things to say!!!! HA! imagine that...

Anyway, figured that I'll share some recent hoop-lah experience that I've had..... meaning what? Well, making hoops of course!!! LOL

Fiesta by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

this one was made with assorted green,orange,yellow Sapphire brios and rondelles, London Blue Topaz brio, all wired to Sterling Silver hoops. The focal is faceted Kyanite brio.

Summertime by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

this particular pair is made with 14kt Rose Gold-filled wire, then I wire wrapped Turquoise, Amethyst, purple Rhodolite Garnet and 2 different shaped Pearls. The focal is GEM Lemon Quartz in a fancy shape.

These were made due to request from local retailer where I display and sell my pieces, but I should also be listing them into my etsy shop soon, but will take them down once they're sold as I do not enjoy remaking things...

Anyway, should be making a few more, stay tuned!!

Sometimes, a dream and a vision pays off.....

2009-06-23T12:45:00.004+08:00

A lot of times I will have a vision in my head, a feeling, a theme that I want to achieve before I start a piece. Though such may not be apparent to most, but that's how I make my pieces....

A few years ago, I made this piece.... named Leaves & Berry

It was not one of the hardest piece to make yet it was certain time consuming a few years ago for my technical ability I guess..... I always thought that I'll end up keeping this due to the material + labor cost..... Lo and Behold, this piece sold a few days ago at a local gallery here at Hong Kong!! Making this the highest priced item that I've ever sold to date! YAY!!!!

This piece was made with GEM carved Tourmaline leaves in assorted shape/size. I fell in love with their liveliness, a whole 15" strand of 6mm faceted Tourmaline rondelles on headpins, mix with random size of Thai Karen Tribal silver leaves and flowers and critters. This piece is one of my all time favorite to date! Even though it's a piece that I've made a few years ago.....

Just a little something that I would like to share.... my joy and pride!! And do follow your vision, though they may not sell right off instantly, but your vision will be appreciated by someone someday..... it's quite a great feeling isn't it??? :)

'Til next time!!!

Amethyst + Turquoise 6

2009-05-18T14:09:00.001+08:00

Amethyst + Turquoise 6
Originally uploaded by Crysallis Creations

slowly but surely, I am getting back to at least make something everyday....

Simple earrings, yet this is definitely one of the my favorite color combo of gems! Brazilian Amethyst with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise with vermeil and GF findings.... ah...

2009-05-09T18:38:00.003+08:00

It really has been awhile since I've last updated my blog.... so many things has happened in the past few months plus I think I am still depressed with my father's passing..... it's almost scary how time flies sometimes.....

I've been trying to keep up with making at least one new thing per day, and so far that seems to be working out well.... big or small, I am making them... :) May not be posting them here but I will for sure share those that I think are notable still....

Here's my newest one, I named this Aquatic Bloom.

Aquatic Bloom Necklace by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

This piece started with a vision of blooming coral within the deep blue sea.... or even some exotic flowers that can be found at Rain Forest, blooming near the water....Calm, nothing intruding, yet with so much textures of nature all around.....

Not one of the most complicated piece that I've made, yet this one took a lot of time and thoughts and planning.

Borosilicate lampwork made by Kristan Child of Redside Designs, huge Moss Aqua brio topped with Pyrite, Apatite, Kyanite, Keishi pearls, Rainbow Moonstone. I've accented with small faceted Blue Green Sapphire rondelles through out since it goes real well with the rest, random Lemon Quartz in assortment of sizes/shape as well as a few Chrysoprase faceted rondelles for accent.

All wired with oxydized Sterling Silver, closed with a handmade wirewrapped hook clasp.

And here are a few shots of details of the same piece.

Aquatic Bloom Necklace - colla by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

I've also been trying to catch up with some custom orders, long overdue... sigh... will for sure share anything significant if there's any!!!

'til next time!! :)

XOXO

Award!!

2009-02-13T12:08:00.003+08:00

so...... I've been so "lucky" to be awarded this Marie Antonette Award for.... well everyone gave different reason so I'm just going to assume that they're running real short of peeps to tag.... LOL

OK.... and maybe I am awesome too!! But but.. yeah... ahem...

So, here are the peeps that awared me with this award:
- Debbie Ferrel at Rosevine Designs http://rosevinedesign.blogspot.com/
- Brandi of Catie's Blue http://brandi-girl.blogspot.com/2009/02/mash-up-of-last-few-days.html
- Katja of Katja Designs http://katjaadams.blogspot.com/2009/02/woot-woot.html

The rules are:

1. Please put the logo on your blog.
2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

And I am giving this "award" to:
1. Kristy of Shiny Adornments http://shinyadornments.com/wordpress/
2. Nicole of BeadWright http://beadwright.blogspot.com/
3. Vicki of Orion Designs http://vickiorion.blogspot.com/
4. Patty of Broken Teepee Designs http://brokenteepee.blogspot.com/
5. Deronda of Deronda Designs http://derondadesigns.blogspot.com/
6. Wan of KateKath http://katekath.blogspot.com/
7. Meganne of MAugusta http://maugustawoodland.com/

ah.... love me! :P

so....... I've finally made something... or rather, finished something.....

2009-02-12T12:20:00.003+08:00

ta da!!!! :D

Frost..... by *CrysallisCreations on deviant ART

I am happy!! Really I am... it's been a while since I last finished anything.... sigh.. I wish that I'll be able to carry this on and on but.... with all the pounding and small remodeling that hubby is planning, doesn't looks like that's gonna happen anytime soon.... sigh...

But the positive thing is... we might have a bigger dining room soon!! YAY!!!! And a way spacious entrance, I think that would be lovely... now if only I can get hubby to get some nice marble for the front door eh? heh.... :P

for those of you that care to read.... I am also having a sale with my gemstone beads... I don't do this often, at most twice a year, and only for stocks on hand, so if you're interested in anything better grab them quick!!! Not sure what I'll end up from the March show that's coming up, but yeah.... still need some space you know....

Link to my online album: http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/DJD_Deb/Gemstone/

Don't forget to check those folders on the left column, a lot more hidden in there...

Anyway, hope you're doing well!! Keep your fingers crossed for me that I'll be able to make a few more new things soon eh?

XOXO

slump!!!!

2009-01-30T23:32:00.003+08:00

oh blah..... sigh....

sometimes I think I have way too many minerals around me, thus confused the hack out of me you know??? the karma, the aura??? whatever... sigh...

I kept on picking up new beads, fondled them a bit, then put them back... even tried to reorganize my "stash", boy that got me even more depressed....

I really really should make something new soon, or post something... hey! how about some idiotic simple ones eh?? bwaahahahhahahaah I am not that bored just yet....

where's my muse??? sigh....

'til soon...

ah.... talk about Heavenly!!!

2009-01-20T09:42:00.002+08:00

So...... I am proud to say that I was able to bribe Jo of GemHeaven http://gemheaven.etsy.com for these earrings.... teehee... it's such a great feeling when I can bribe someone with blings...... and OMG!!! I am in complete awe of these earrings!!!!!

I've been nagging at Jo to make matching bracelet at least, or pendant/necklace... heh... I adore the texture of these!!!! jingling!!!! woohoo!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

and I think I need more coffee... hmm... just thought that I'll share my excitement... ah....

HUGS Jo!! I adore them!!! :D

a hoard.... I am definitely a hoard...

2009-01-17T00:37:00.007+08:00

and no....... but yes you may still call me a bead ho.... HA! hmmm....

so after a long long break away from taking care of my business, both my jewelry and my beads, even though, to be fair, I have been making things though they're just not listed in my Etsy shop since a local gallery want them!! so there... yup yup!!! :P

So... went to a few suppliers in the past week, who knows when I'll finish using them, or even just one of them from each set, but ah.... who the hack cares right??? HA! sigh....

Where to start..... hmm.... ooooooOK..... seriously, these were probably not the best deal that I've ever gotten, but I don't care... as long as I can fondle this sucker I'll be all good really..... ah.... This is a whopping 51+ carat, measures at 30mm+.....Oregon Sunstone!!!! And I was so happy to lay my hands on some of these top quality ones! There's nothing faint about these colors, hint of green, with cat's eye effect through.....

HUGE intense color Lemon Quartz!! bwaahahhahahahaahah also got a few in pear shape... teehee....ah..... just a lovely lovely Prasiolite...... heh... :P

AAA multi color Sapphire briolette........

I think that's enough flaunting for now...... I will have a sweet dream tonight without thinking about my wallet....

'til soon!!! :D

What I am up to......

2009-01-14T17:34:00.004+08:00

You know... really.... I really should learn to blog more I guess, especially on a day like today! I am really extremely exceptionally wordy..... LOL HA! So hear me whine!!!! ahahahahahhahaahah!!! :P

well no.... I don't really whine, if I do that'll be once a year, probably.... so I am just going to say some thing that's random.... hope I won't bore you too much!!

Yesterday I picked up a package from PO, which I knew was the new little purse that I got from Etsy earlier.... as always, I was excited for these good mail days since well... eversince I found sources here for my gems I rarely get parcels in mail anymore, and by looking at my "stash" of lampworks, I've been holding back at buying more of those as well.... so I haven't had many good mail days.......

I'll have to say this.... much to my surprise, I was really impressed with the lovely purse that I got!!!! Here it is!!

I know it doesn't look like much, and since this seller was having FREE Shipping Worldwide offering, I thought why the hack.... just a little something for myself.... along with this bag I also picked up 2 key ring with recycled snake skin belt!!

Here's the link to said seller Bagavond Bags http://bagavondBags.etsy.com , all these, the bag, the key ring, were all made from recycled leather!!!! I know that sounds "scary" to some, but I honestly cannot tell that these are recycled materials!!! To say the least, I am impressed!!! Seller used extra solid padding for the bottom of the bag, the interior thick silver satin is pure luxury! Plus the extra little side slide pocket is for sure a plus, closed with magnetic snap, 2 handle of recycled snake skin belt. Heavy hardware, with all stitches lined up and no loose thread! I can't even start to tell you how happy a surprise this was!!!

I am happily sporting my cute little bag.... though just around the house at the moment, but I am loving it!!! I am looking foward to her new listings for sure!!!!

Let's see... what else..... hmm...

Well, updates with my jewelry...... this is what I am currently working on, been slaving at this one for a few days last week, then it's been put on hold since... well I am still trying to think what I should do to it.... not certain just yet but hopefully I should get it done soon.....

I also have a Lab necklace (yes more Labradorite!!! LOL ) with photos that needs to be retaken, then 2 new rings that I should add to my poor wee-listed Etsy shop, also need to retake photos... sigh.....

Anyway, that's it for now! Hopefully I can make this into a regular habbit! :D

2008-11-28T22:32:00.002+08:00

So.... it's that time of the year, where I do my annual good deed...

Share the Joy at Landmark here at Hong Kong started on November 26th, 2008. As always, I was invited to take part of this fund raising, which has always been fun for me, to be able to interact with potential buyers, though I wish that I could have spend more time there on site myself...

Anyway, here are some photos from the set-up this year, along with some Christmas decoration around Landmark. A lot of attention to details, quite lovely as always...

this is from one side of the booth, with a door behind me.

Here it is, photo taken right infront of the booth...

not the best photo, but you get the idea...

Now here are some photos of The Landmark mall with Christmas decoration this year. The theme this year is basically gold....

sky line, where you can see the Christmas tree, as well as the ceiling decorations.

here you can see the center court, where at a distance the booth can be seen as well....

this is the ceiling height Christmas tree this year....

so yeah.... this is where I've disappeared to, and for the next month! LOL

Though with all that's going on in the world financial market, I was not sure how things will be, yet from the past few dyays on site, seems like local economy is not quite heavily affected, beter than expected is all I can say so far, so we'll see.....

I'll be back with more updates soon! :)

XOXO
Deb

These are my finds from ISGB gathering 2008

2008-08-11T04:11:00.001+08:00

These are my finds from ISGB gathering 2008
Originally uploaded by Crysallis Creations

so..... I completely forgot about breakfast or lunch... didn't feel hungry at all until I came back from lala land.... oh lord....

and!! Marcy took a photo of us, I brought a camera with me, but of course I forgot about that as well... sheeesh.....

and I forgot to take a picture with Sam too Deronda!!! **cries!!**

I was tempted with a lot of gorgeous beads!! And was such a pleasure to see/meet/chat with some of the biggest names that I've only had the pleasure to read in publications... OH MY GAWD......

Anyway, here's what I came home with... along with 2 little gifts from Marcy, which of course I am using them to make some things for myself.. :P Thank you Marcy!! Oh oh!!! And I can't even start to tell you how cuteness overload Marcy's beads are!!! OMG..... 1000 times better than any of her photos can show!!! ehm... not saying that her photos are bad or anything but... you know what I mean...

yes I had a lot of fun!! ;D

US ban import of Burmese Ruby and Jadeit

2008-08-04T15:39:00.000+08:00

Bush signs legislation banning imports of ruby and jade from Myanmar

-- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 7/31/2008 11:06:00 AM

President Bush signed legislation Tuesday designed to punish Myanmar's brutal ruling regime by banning the importation of rubies and jade from that country into the U.S.

The “Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act of 2008” bans Burmese gem imports, something that already is the voluntary policy of retailers such as Tiffany's and Bulgari. U.S. officials say Myanmar has been evading earlier gem-targeting sanctions by laundering the stones in other countries before they are shipped to the United States. Congress approved the bill July 22.

"The bill requires that within 60 days, jadeite or rubies of Burma origin cannot be imported into the U.S," the Jewelers Vigilance Committee said in a statement. "This importation ban would encompass all Burmese origin jadeite and rubies, notwithstanding “substantial transformation” in Thailand or elsewhere.

The importation ban does not apply to Burmese jadeite or rubies that are imported for personal use, JVC said. The law does not apply to exports of Burmese rubies or jadeite from the U.S. Further, the bill does not prevent U.S. sales of Burmese jadeite or rubies already in the U.S.

"Non-Burmese rough and polished jadeite and rubies (or jewelry containing jadeite and rubies) may be imported from other countries under certain conditions. These imports require the president to 'determine and certify' to the appropriate legislative committees and government agencies that those countries have implemented verifiable controls from mine to first exportation that demonstrate that the jadeite and ruby does not originate in Burma," JVC said. "These non-Burmese imports must be accompanied by officially-validated documentation certifying the country from which the jadeite and rubies were mined or extracted, total carat weight, and value of the jadeite or rubies. All entities mining, exporting or importing non-Burmese jadeite and rubies are required to maintain verifiable records demonstrating compliance with these requirements."

The importation ban does not apply to any Burmese rubies or jadeite that were in the U.S. before the ban and then exported from the U.S. when they are re-imported into the U.S. by the same person, as long as the jadeite or rubies have not been improved in condition or value while outside the U.S., JVC said Customs is still determining whether or not this exemption would apply to cut and polished rubies that are exported from the U.S., placed into jewelry and then re-imported.

Quick and Dirty about Pearls

2008-06-29T12:54:00.001+08:00

"Quick and Dirty about Pearls" a novel by Deb @ Crysallis

Most of what we see available on the market today are Cultured Pearl, which is a method introduced by Mikimoto, yes that's a person's last name and not just a brand name. lol

Japanese Akoya pearl was actually the first culture pearl that came into the market back then, Mr. Mikimoto realized that if a neucleus was introduced to a mollusk, the shell starts to wrap these pearl forming layers around the foreign object as self defense mechanism, and this is how pearls are form, and since it's done by hand and in a controlled environment, thus they're called cultured pearls.

Due to realization of cheap and mass abundance of labor in China, Akoya brought their culture pearl to be produced in China, then of course such method was adopt by Chinese, which is how we have Chinese Freshwater Pearls today.

Both salt water and fresh water pearls are cultured pearls, the mollusks were habitat in different water and that's basically all the difference. While salt water pearls naturally produced pearl nacre that's with more depth and colorplay, like what we'll see on an abalone shell ( aka Paua shell ), due to mineral elements that's within sea water in comparison to freshwater.... way to techy for me to find them interest to be honest....

Salt water pearls used to have way more "pink" pearlescence finish when placed side by side with FWP, but that's no longer true today. Chinese Fresh Water pearls are catching up by leaps and bound in quality and definitely way more in production quantity, compare to Akoya salt water pearls.

There are the 4 C's when it comes to grading of diamond, it's about as complicated with pearls as it is with diamond. Even within GIA courses "Pearl" is a seperate study. I do not know all the real technical things (yet!!) but here is what I know..

When judging the value of pearls, there are a few things that I tend to look for: roundness, nacre, luster, not in particular order. I would for certain sacrifice roundness if I can have the other 2 factors, because it is always harder to have a perfectly round pearls compare to have a gorgeous luster thick nacre pearl, and personally I am not that crazy about pearls, at least not any of the sightly affordable ones... LOL

Luster, simply put, is if the pearl "shines", while Nacre is referring to the pearl layers of a pearl.

To pick out a good strand of pearl at show, do not judge them by the price the seller sells them, but rather go to someone you trust. There's no set rules for how to price pearls, so all can be fooled unless if it's someone who's fully trained and not a lot can be done even by professionals just by touching and looking at pearls with bare eyes. So the best thing to do is to go with your gut feeling, if you trust this seller, and definitely comparison shop around before you buy.

One more fact before I go on.... usually only bad bad poor quality pearls will be used to dye into colored pearls, which are commonly used in bead jewelry today and rightfully so... why would you want to risk scratching up a perfectly fine pearl that may costs hundreds or thousands?? LOL So all that you'll need to look for with colored pearls is if you like the shape, whether or not their consistant on the strand, is the drilled hole straight all the way through?? And that's basically it! IF you fancy a certain color that you see, I would say grab a few more strands than you think you'll "need", because with each dye lot of colored pearls, they will be different. All that you'll need to do is make sure you're not paying an arm and a leg for colored pearls, and if you trust the seller. That's all...

Another surge in the market today is Keishi pearls. This has always been one of my favorite type of pearl to work with, not only for their texture, but also because Keishi pearls are "pure pearls", meanning there's no neucleus or foreign object introduced into the mollusks to produce these. There are a lot of sellers out there today who name irregular shaped pearl nuggets as Keishi, which is really deceiving.... so be careful when you buy/

I think that's enough info for now.... Let me know if you need further info with anything???

Deb

Thank you for visiting my Brand Spanking new BLOG!!!

2008-06-29T12:38:00.001+08:00

This is way overdue... I know... yet I am really not a huge blogger, and I don't usually read blogs either..... but it's time... :)

Not sure what the focus will be on my blog, but I may just start with posting some info that I recented added to a great new group that I am taking part with!!! Then at random times things through my jewelry making journey, new finds from suppliers, or just random blurbs....

Anyway, thank you for your interest!!!

XOXO Deb