This week, I am gearing up to show Ike Designs at JACK OF ALL TRADES at Jack London Square in Oakland, (which will be my California debut), and also Park Street Art and Wine Faire in Alameda (everything is in Northern California, so hang tight for my East coast and midwest venues). I am finishing up all the paperwork, preparing my booth, and making some sparkling bits for all! I can't wait to see you there; I will announce the dates here. Stay tuned.
I spent about 4 hours at the Gem Show in Marin this past weekend, carefully collecting some gemstones for the spring collection, RAW. Selecting organic Biwa pearls, Black Rutilated Quartz, tiny pointed Quartz crystals (resembling mini icicles), AND a few other surprises, I focused quite a bit on Labradorite because it appears a flat grey, with sparks of color which are full of intrigue and beauty. Inuit legend claims that Labradorite contains the glow and magnificence of the Aurora Borealis. It is a seemingly ordinary stone which transforms from flat grey with black streaks to a shimmery mystical colorful light upon movement. The flash from flat to vibrant depends upon movement and perspective, lending a magical appeal to this gem. In many ways, it reminds me of humanity...aren't we all a little more colorful upon investigation, perspective and movement?
Labradorite is a member of the Feldspar family and is treasured for this colorful mutability, known as labradorescence. Appearing as various shades of grey, sometimes streaked with shards of black, Labradorite is composed in aggregate layers, refracting light as iridescent flashes of peacock or cobalt blue, gold, pale green, or champagne gold. Discovered in Labrador, Canada by Moravian missionaries in 1770, the gem takes its name from the region. It is a legendary stone full of myth, magic, and beauty. I can't wait to create with my new gems, and hope you will enjoy them, too.
For more information about Labradorite, click here.
I spent about 4 hours at the Gem Show in Marin this past weekend, carefully collecting some gemstones for the spring collection, RAW. Selecting organic Biwa pearls, Black Rutilated Quartz, tiny pointed Quartz crystals (resembling mini icicles), AND a few other surprises, I focused quite a bit on Labradorite because it appears a flat grey, with sparks of color which are full of intrigue and beauty. Inuit legend claims that Labradorite contains the glow and magnificence of the Aurora Borealis. It is a seemingly ordinary stone which transforms from flat grey with black streaks to a shimmery mystical colorful light upon movement. The flash from flat to vibrant depends upon movement and perspective, lending a magical appeal to this gem. In many ways, it reminds me of humanity...aren't we all a little more colorful upon investigation, perspective and movement?
Labradorite is a member of the Feldspar family and is treasured for this colorful mutability, known as labradorescence. Appearing as various shades of grey, sometimes streaked with shards of black, Labradorite is composed in aggregate layers, refracting light as iridescent flashes of peacock or cobalt blue, gold, pale green, or champagne gold. Discovered in Labrador, Canada by Moravian missionaries in 1770, the gem takes its name from the region. It is a legendary stone full of myth, magic, and beauty. I can't wait to create with my new gems, and hope you will enjoy them, too.
For more information about Labradorite, click here.