What a gorgeous gemstone. From the family of minerals called “beryl,” it is one of the most stunning of earth’s creations. Aquamarine literally translates to “sea water” and that is what comes to mind when you look into the depths of this gem.
It’s lucid color is reminiscent of the clear turquoise water of the Caribbean Ocean. A close relative to emerald, it has a slight greenish tint mixed into the most beautiful transparent blue. (more…)
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I started collecting owls as a child. I think they are such amazing creatures of the night. Very wise and revered, their beauty so austere and “oh, what big eyes they have!”
About a year ago I met Jody Wolfe a stunning woman with a great sense of style. Her taste in fine jewelry is impeccable. When she commissioned me to make a special piece for her daughter’s graduation, I was very flattered and excited. Her daughter Olivia’s nickname is “owl” - I had the perfect piece in mind.
I hand crafted a ring in the shape of an owl’s face, paying special attention to the intricate detail of the feathers. Using the ancient “lost wax” process - I caste the owl in 18k gold. Once polished to a lustrous glow, it just needed the finishing touch of gemstone eyes. This was the hard part!
I showed Jody an array of colors - blue sapphires, pink rubies, citrines, garnets and tourmalines. After some deliberation she decided on two luscious garnets. After setting the deep red faceted gems, we knew we made the right decision - the owl “came to life”
I was so happy to know she LOVED her gift.
Small world coincidence - after graduation Olivia moved to NYC, one street from my studio! A literal hop, skip and jump away. I saw her recently and was delighted to know she wears the owl all the time. I asked her if it brings her good luck? She said, “So far living in New York has been a great experience. That means yes!!”
Folklore about the owl dates far back in history. In ancient Greece the owl was very revered and powerful. It is the symbol for the goddess Athena; the favorite daughter of Zeus. Athena was the goddess of wisdom; a trait often used to describe owls. She was referred to as “bright eyes” - another parallel to owls. The mysterious bird was believed to be a strong protector. Encouraged to live amongst the citizens, they inhabited temples and the Acropolis in great numbers.
Do you still have a big owl necklace from the 70’s, or ever see them at a flea market? Don’t be shy, give it a try!! Be as bold and wise as Athena. It’s a fun fashion trend and “hoo” can’t use a little something extra looking out for us.
These are two from my collection. You can “update” the chunky gold chain with a ribbon, silk cord, or leather in any color. I paired black ribbon on one of my favorite for a more subtle look.
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