“A Big Ole Honking Ring” Maybe

Today was another Event outside.

A Pop-Up Market Place in Lawrenceville, here in Pittsburgh. 

A GORGEOUS day. Not a cloud in the sky. 80-ish.

Enough sunshine to set the Gemstones dancing and singing in all their Glory.

If You know me, You KNOW I am definitely more of a Winter Person. BUT today was absolutely perfect.

Today, I was excited to show quite a few NEW pieces-ONE in particular.

THIS one, an 87 ct Tourmaline set in a bezel of braided .999 Silver, suspended from a chain of Biwa-style Pearls, in a lavender/gray color. With a ladder created with some extremely fine .925 Sterling Chain and Swarovski Crystal accents in PINK.

I have had this particular Gem in my collection for at least 2 years-One of those late night purchases during the Lockdown. So very early in the Pandemic-back when we had no idea just how long this crazy period in our lives was going to last. 

It was one of those pieces that I had NO CLUE what I would make out of it. 

BUT, HAD to have it.

2 years later, Insomnia hits-AGAIN. 

Little flashes of a finished product in those moments of fleeting sleep. 

A little more clear each night. 

Until the vision came complete a few nights ago. 

THEN, I hade to figure out how to actually make it happen.

JUST in time for this afternoon’s Marketplace

It is a TRUE Showpiece. 

That type of Statement Piece that I love to create. 

An essential to have Front and Center to attract attention to the set-up. EVEN if smaller earrings end up being the only thing on the shopping list.

It did exactly what I wanted it to do.

One lady who saw it from 2 booths away-Yes, I actually saw the attraction happen. 

She could not keep her eyes off the Tourmaline-not the finished piece, just the Gem. 

She told me that I should have made it into a “big Ole Honkin Ring” when I told her the story of how I didn’t know what to do with it for so long.

A ring really was my first impulse, but because of the size I thought twice about it-not knowing who would wear something that big. 

The Gem really is THAT HUGE.

“I would wear it” She said.

I told her to take a business card. If she is serious, I could/would rework the Gem for her.

We shall seeif she is serious.

I WILL rework it for her. 

IF she contacts me before it sells...

In the mean time here is the link to the website.

DeAndreaDesigns.com

Happy Shopping.

"Elevator Pitch” WHAT?

 The things that You learn in Your everyday job.

"Elevator Pitch”

I had never heard that term before-Although, everybody higher up assumed that we understood what it meant. Gladly, I was not the only one confused.

Apparently, when You meet someone new, it is how You describe what You do.

 QUICKLY. 

Assume that You are on an Elevator, and You only have until the next stop to tell Them about Your Work, Company, Art, YOURSELF.

So, for weeks, we worked on it-For someone else. It was a great learning experience.

THEN, I realize that I NEEDED one as well-ESPECIALLY when I am applying to different shows and events. They are always asking for something similar 

Having something prepared that can be used in any situation would definitely make Life easier.

It is A LOT more difficult than You would think.

                        ELEVATOR PITCH

Jewelry Design has been a long journey. 

Starting nearly 2 decades ago, until today, and beyond. 

Self taught, but guided by a few Amazing women. In the beginning.

The learning, growth, and the Journey continue. WITH unlimited potential.

Starting with .999 Fine silver wire.

It is Braided.

It is Twisted. 

It is Wrapped. 

Freshwater Pearls, Gemstones, or Swarovski Crystals are used to create a  piece of Art that You will be overjoyed to wear.

Diamond Planets? YES, Please

Planets made of Diamonds?

I have heard that they exist. 

I was intrigued. 

I starting researching-and quickly got distracted by how much it would be worth. I will, however, try to focus on the other facts that I discovered. Because they ARE fascinating.

There is one such planet in our "neighborhood”-in The Milky Way Galaxy. 

55 Cancri-e. 

It orbits the star Cancri, in the constellation of Cancer. 

At 40 Light Years away it is basically at the end the block. It is actually visible in the night sky, as would your neighbor’s Christmas Lights. 

55 Canci-e orbits its star in only 18 hours-making for a VERY fast Year-and we thought that the years flew by, the older we got. 

NOW, we know that Diamonds are created under intense pressure and intense heat. 

55 Cancri-e is PERFECT for Diamond production.

The planet is 3900 degrees F. 

It has a mass 8 times that of the Earth. A radius of 2 times ours. 

Officially, a Super-Earth. Not likely to have Life on the planet that would appreciate it being made of diamonds.

But WHY is it made of Diamonds? 

The atmosphere is made up primarily of Carbon-a key ingredient in diamonds that are the solidified version of carbon. Versus Hydrogen here-So Diamond and graphite instead of water and granite.

FINALLY, the Important question. 

        HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH?

$29 Nonillion-Seriously!!

I didn't know what a nonillion was either. 

It would be a “29” with 30 zeros following it! 

YES!! 

30 ZEROS!!!

$29,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

I cannot, JUST  CANNOT, even begin to fathom a dollar amount like that. Then again, I am a poor artist.

What DOES make me feel better about it is that not even Jeff Bezos could afford it, nor could he get a loan to purchase it. Nor could he use his little rocket to go pick it up.

NOW, back to work on DeAndreaDesigns.com so that someday I might be a not so poor artist

Opal vs Fire Opal

The biggest difference between an Opal and a Fire Opal?

The base color of the Gem.

Milky:                                         Orange-y                             

Opal Pendant

Fire Opal Lariat

          

Both have flashes of color from within the Gem.

An Opal, whether from Australia, Ethiopia, or Brazil will show flashes of all colors of the Rainbow.

A Fire Opal, whether from Mexico, Central America, or US, will show flashes of predominantly Reds, Yellows, and Oranges.

OPAL                                              FIRE OPAL

Enhance Creativity                         Awaken Inner Fire

Release Anger                                Release of Bottled Up Emotions-quickly, possibly

Claim Self Worth                           Increases Self-Confidence

Helps Express TRUE Self             Revitalize and Reenergize

Release Inhibitions                        Helps Heal Traumas of Past

Intensify Emotions                        Amplifies Energy

Helps Find Love                            Attracts Money and Customers  

Both are Fragile. Softer Gemstones that require a little extra caution and care. 

Avoidance of high heat, drying out, and bumping against hard surfaces. Simple damp cloth for polishing.

BUT, the Beauty of the Gem makes the precautions well worth the effort.

 

Simple Photographs of Opal are difficult, because the Beauty of the Gem is in the Colorplay. Colorplay that is usually only visible while viewing from multiple angles. SO video is my go to.