The Black Star of Queensland-A Star Sapphire

A little while ago I posted a photo of a Star Sapphire Ring that I had just finished. I was amazed at the number of people commented that they-or their Mothers-had had one when they were younger.
My own Mother had one.

Follow along on FaceBook
https://www.facebook.com/DeAndreaDesigns-248159268885/

I remember being fascinated at how the “Star” seemed to float on the surface of the Stone. How, depending on the lighting it was stronger, or even nonexistent.
I have always liked the Gem.
I loved seeing the “Star”-or asterism.
There was something almost magical about that “Star”...BUT of course it isn’t magic.
That asterism is the result of a series of needle like inclusions that intersect with one another to create a 6 ray star pattern. Best shown under a single light source.
Star Sapphire occurs naturally in every color that Sapphires do.
Blue.
Pink.
Orange.
Yellow.
Green.
Grey.
Black.
Blue, however, is the most desirable.

Most Star Sapphires are on the smaller side-perfect for use in Rings and Pendants, BUT occasionally, You find LARGE GEMS. Introducing “The Black Star of Queensland”...

The Black Star of Queensland. By greyloch .

Until recently "The Black Star of Queensland” was the largest Star Sapphire known. Measuring in at 733ct, it was found in the mid 1930’s in it’s namesake of Queensland, Australia.  A 12 y.o. boy by the name of Roy Spencer found the stone, brought it home to his father, who worked in the Industry. They used it as a doorstop for 9 years thinking that is was just another black crystal.
The Elder Spencer inspected the Stone a bit more closely over the years. He realized that there WAS something Special about the Stone.
In 1947 he sold the Stone to Henry Kazanjian for $18K-which he used to build a new Family Home.
Kazanjian studied the Stone before cutting and revealing “The Black Star of Queensland” buried deep inside-sacraficing 400+cts in the process.
The Stone has since been loaned to numerous museums, and been showcased on TV-Most notably around the neck of CHER in the late 60’s early 70’s.
“The Black Star of Queensland” was again sold. This time to an Artist and his Socialite Girlfriend for $500K-the money going to set up scholarships in Gemology.
After a legal battle to determine ownership “The Black Star of Queensland” now resides in Switzerland with the Socialite Girlfriend.

Time to start DREAMING BIG

WOW...Some things never change.
Reading over some older posts-like some of the Originals-where I was trying to find that balance between Work/Life...Yep, I am still searching for it.
Carving out a few minutes a day for DeAndreaDesigns is going to have to be a priority.
I have been posting more. Creating/Tempting my audience.
I have been creating a little more. Playing with NEW Designs.
I have been re-evaluating past Designs.
Even selling one or two of them. They were that good, but got lost in the shuffle.
Some just need finishing touches before they are ready to be seen...
SOME are JUST PLAIN bad, and will NEVER be seen. They are destined for a “Deconstruction Day”. Not a bad thing, sometimes the act of deconstructing something tells you more about how to properly construct it.
What I am learning, is that I will always be trying to find a balance between doing what I love, and the satisfaction of being able to pay the bills.
I am always going to be trying to be BETTER at the balance.
If my time away from DeAndreaDesigns has taught me anything...It is that I HAVE to find time for Myself.
Whether it is an hour at the gym.
OR
15 minutes outside with the dogs.

My baby Grendel

My baby Prudence

I have to take that time that I am just chilling
in the mornings/evenings and apply it to DeAndreaDesigns. If I don’t I will NEVER get out of Retail for someone else.
Like the caption on the Aqua Pendant says, “If you dream big enough, it can happen for you too”
Time to start DREAMING BIG!!!

LAPIS LAZULI...I know very little about You

I have ben having a very difficult time writing this one-Almost like I am trying to force something.

Although I LOVE this Beautiful Blue Stone and all of the little Gold flecks that abound within, I KNOW very little about the characteristics, properties of the Mineral, OR even how to gauge one that is better quality than another...

Why have I been so drawn to working with it lately?
Is it just because of  request for one? OR is the Universe telling me that I NEED to be working with it?

THAT being said, this is what I have found out...

Lapis TearDrop Pendant

Lapis is apparently a Stone of Self-Discovery.
Helping to bring about Peace and Serenity thru the release of stress.

“I am aligned with my deepest truth”

This “Stone of The Sky” has been used in Ornamentation/Decoration since approximately 4000 B.C. Whether it was as a dye in artwork, inlaid in mosaics, or used to cover King Tut’s sarcophagus, AND represented in the Bible as the 5th stone in the Breast Plate of the High Priest.

It has been valued for MANY MANY Years.

Oval Lapis Pendant

So what should You be looking for when purchasing Your own piece of serenity?
When You are purchasing Your own piece of Lapis, as always if YOU are drawn to it, IT is the RIGHT piece for You...BUT if You are purchasing for a gift, or just because it is pretty. You want the BEST quality.
Look for something that has a deeper, more intense hue of BLUE.
Look for something that is consistent with little white (Calcite) veining. Flecks of gold (Pyrite) are acceptable so long as they are not overpowering the blue.

Lapis is divided into categories based on where it is found. ALTHOUGH these names do not necessarily indicate WHERE it is mined-only the characteristics of these areas.
Afghani/Persian Lapis has a very intense medium dark hue with little Pyrite and no Calcite.
Siberian Lapis will come in a variety of Blues with more of the Pyrite and some Calcite inclusions.
Chilean Lapis may be spotted with Green hues and has obvious Calcite veining.

Finding Balance...Part??

I was just looking over some of my past musings.
I CANNOT believe that I have not written or posted anything in the last 3 years.
A LOT has changed in that period of time.
I have since closed the Store/Studio. I accepted a position with Godiva that I LOVED-they have since closed my store. I found that I liked having Health Insurance AND a steady paycheck, so I am found another Retail Management position.
I got married.
We adopted two puppies-LARGE dogs now.
We bought a house and moved to Suburbia.
A little after my last posting I suffered a concussion that left me unable to focus on any kind of close detail work. When I did try to work on anything, I would end up with a migraine that could last for hours-OR DAYS.
2 and a half years with NO creative outlet-except for merchandising the store-has left me feeling more than a little lost.
Thankfully, a few months ago, my Cousin’s Fiancé asked if I could make a bracelet for the Wedding. I said, “YES”, without realizing whether I would be able to do it-AND not suffer the impending migraine...I not only did not get the headache, but I ENJOYED it.
I have since been tinkering with past designs-some are still VERY difficult to do. BUT, I am finding that a little bigger and bolder designs work well for me ow. Most importantly, I am finding that I NEED to work FOR ME again.
I NEED that creative outlet.
I have not only been working with past designs, I have been tweaking them so they work better.
AND I HAVE BEEN PLAYING WITH NEW DESIGNS.
Some of Y’all may have noticed that I incorporated a bit of braiding into my necklaces...Well, .999 FineSilver wire braids just as nicely. Maybe even better.
Some newer designs have been born. Some older designs have been reinvented.
At this point in the whole process, I am only promising that I WILL continue to Design. Enough to build up an inventory capable of doing shows? Or reopening? That is to be determined.
I do KNOW that I WILL continue to Design.