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.

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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.

FIRE OPAL...The Delicate Orchid of the Gem World

WOW!!!

I have not written in a very, VERY LONG time, and I can tell You that I have felt something missing.
Hopefully, writing about one of MY personal Favorite Gems will help.
Fire Opal.
THE MEXICAN Fire Opal to be exact.

Fire Opal Wire-Wrapped .999FineSilver Ring

Imagine looking into a campfire and having ALL those Reds, Oranges, and Yellows trapped in a faceted Gem-or even a cabochon.
That is what a Good Quality Fire Opal resembles.

Opals are a silicate based stone-composed of up to 20% WATER...AND they are not very durable.
Much like myself, these Gems like being out and shown and adored-constant wearing allows the Gem to Balance it’s water content by absorbing moisture from the atmosphere, BUT excessive heat and light can actually dry out the stone causing cracking.

I love days that are overcast and rainy.

Fire Opals are a Stone of Loyalty and Trust.
They help to strengthen those that are Shy.
They encourage  a positive, healthy Sexuality.
They symbolize JOY of the Heart.
They attract money.

Looks like I have to find My Fire Opal Ring.

BERYL? AQUAMARINE?

The Birthstone for March is Aquamarine, but what is Aquamarine?

All Aquamarine is Beryl, but not all Beryl is Aquamarine.

BERYL

Aquamarine-SeaFoam Blue/Green
Emerald-Green
Morganite-Peach
Heliodore-Golden Yellow
Bixbite-Red
Goshenite-White
These are all examples of the Beryl Gemstone Family. Depending on color-and whatever trace mineral influences that coloration.

Found all over the World from USA-wtih NewEngland having some very Large Crystals-to Russia, From Norway to South America.

Beryl, itself is useful for reducing tiredness AND increasing Creativity-two things that are in serious need for me right now-suffering from allergies again this month.
Aquamarine can actually help with allergies.
With March being the first month of Spring and the emergence of so many pollens, that may be one of the subconscious reasons for Aquamarine having been chosen this month’s Birthstone.

But, It Is A Cop-out

I have been having trouble sleeping again.
I KNOW there is a design gestating.
I can ALMOST see it. Although, it does keep changing-a bit.
I actually think that this “Design” will be more than just one-It can be a NEW “Line”.
I have a feeling that it is going to be something that can catapult DeAndreaDesigns into the Mainstream.
Why am I not down in the Studio trying to get this one done???

Well, part of it is that supplies are running low. There is not enough Silver to really be experimenting with something NEW. If I think on this one a little more, I will be able to just jump into it. Finish it. No waste.
That sounds good, but it is a cop out.

I have been tired lately. I have picked up a few more shifts at the restaurant since the foot traffic in the Studio has dropped off-it has been really too cold for people to be walking around. With the colder weather, the restaurant is slower too. So a couple more shifts will help to cover the difference.
I tell myself, “You do what You gotta”
That sounds good, but it is a cop out.

Tomorrow is a Bead Show that I have been looking forward to for weeks. I am really looking forward to seeing Raw Materials. Possibilities. I am excited to see what Design variations will be inspired.
That sounds good, but it is a cop out.

Truth be told, I can feel that something BIG is coming. Success is right around the corner. AND, there is something about that that scares Me.

BUT, it will not defeat me.
I WILL persevere.
I WILL Succeed.