What's new for October?

My lovely dapped chain finally arrived..........and I love it.

Can't wait to get making some lovely new necklaces with it, but in the meantime, I have a plain dapped chain on right now. Who needs gems when you have this gorgeous dapped silver?

I also just bought this beautiful druzy window cushion cabochon. Oh. My.

I think it's going to be a ring, but it's a one of a kind, so I need to think about this one........

And I also just got these stunning green tourmaline stones, 6mm, made into dinky studs. I love 'em. Not on the shop yet but they should be tomorrow.... the stone is that little bit special, and I'm not sure I'll be getting any more of them. But we'll see - I'd love to know what you think of them!

Peridot - the birthstone for August

Wear a Peridot or for thee, 

No conjugal fidelity, 

The August born without this stone, 

`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.

The birthstone for August - Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one colour; green. Although the intensity and tint of the green hue is dependent on how much iron it contains and individual peridot gems can vary from a sparkling pale yellowy green to deep olive. 

Whilst the most valuable peridots are usually the less common deep olive shades, I prefer that zingy fresh pale green and tend to go with that for my designs. And yes, it does help that it keeps the cost reasonable!

It looks perfect with sparkly sterling silver!

Peridot is the gem form of the mineral olivine, and it is formed by extreme heat and pressure in volcanoes and is then forced to the surface in the lava. It is also, (less frequently) found in meteors that land on the earth’s surface. It's amazing to wonder what that little shiny stone on your earrings has been through and how long it took to form. 

Peridot is also a great stone for weddings in August, and is the gemstone for 16th wedding anniversarys.

These gorgeous handmade calla lilies hold a teeny faceted peridot stone within.

I must get some more peridot designs up in the shop, as it really is a gorgeous gem!