The Enchantment of Phenomenal Stones

By Iris Stratman

The Intrigue of Phenomenal Properties

There is special kind of wonder to be found in light distortions. From kaleidoscopes to phantasmagoria theater, manipulations of light are timeless and have an intrinsic draw that delight viewers. This play-of-light is prevalent in gemstones, specifically those of the phenomenal variety. Phenomenal gemstones are defined by their unique ability to distort light, creating an otherworldly optical effect. In the coming weeks, there will be more fun tidbits about the various kinds of gems that possess these qualities such as moonstones, abalone pearls, and cat’s-eye. You perhaps have even seen them before in the gallery! I thoroughly enjoyed learning all about how these stunning optical effects are created. There is plethora of unique properties that result in the ethereal beauty of a phenomenal stone.

Properties

Iridescence
When light is broken up into different colors, it is called iridescence. Akin to soap bubbles, oil slicks, and butterfly wings, this rainbow effect is found in gems such as opals, abalone shells, and labradorite.

Adularescence
Notably found in moonstones among other gems, this property is defined by its milky, semi-opaque luster. Adularescence is caused by the parallel layers of albite in a stone’s structure. We can thank adularescence for the soft, celestial glow of moonstones, quartz, and many others! Ceylon and rainbow moonstones are both present in Eve’s “Angel” ring, from her “Medieval” series.

Aventurescence
Named after aventurine quartz, this stunning coruscate effect is the result of small, thin inclusions within the stone. When light hits it, the gem can look like tinsel preserved in crystal! In sunstones, aventurescence is cause by flecks of copper, known as schiller, growing simultaneously within the stone. A perfect example of this is shown in the sunstone located in the center of “The Hidden Dream” ring from Eve’s “No Forwarding Address” series.

Asterism
The six-rayed star within the center sapphire of Eve’s “Interchange” ring is a prime example of asterism. This property occurs in minerals that contain small, fiber-like crystal inclusions. Stones such as rubies and sapphires that feature asterism are cut into a cabochon. When direct light hits the cabochon-cut gem, a star shines out from within its core!

Chatoyancy
What makes cat’s-eye so unique is its glowing band. With a cabochon cut, these parallel needlelike inclusions in the stone imitate the look of an actual eye of a cat! However, this property is not limited to solely cat’s-eye and tiger’s-eye stones. You can see chatoyancy prevalent in other precious gems, such as moonstones, or the chrysoberyl centered in Eve’s “The Auspices Have Spoken” ring.

Labradorescence
In the case of labradorescence, the importance of the schiller effect cannot be emphasized enough. The schiller effect occurs when light scatters around within thin layers of feldspar, resulting in a distinct play-of-color known as labradorescence. As the name implies, this optical treat is notably found in labradorite.

Play-of-color
It is said that you can see the universe inside of a precious opal. Indeed, the rich swirls of color that are formed from hardened silica spheres do recall those of nebulas. In opals, the diameter, uniformity, and overall alignment of the silica spheres and their arrangement results in the play-of-color. This quality is especially prominent in black opals which are the most highly valued of all. The play-of-color is put into action when lighting and perspective is changed. When the orientation is switched, new colors emerge from within. Notice the galaxy of color and light play in the 144.3 carat koroit opal featured in Eve’s “Le radeau de la meduse” pin.

Jewelry Transformation: Heirlooms, Stones and More!

By Eli Kosinski

Eve J Alfillé Gallery and Studio is known for Eve’s inventive and person-oriented custom work! If you have an idea for a project, Eve will fulfill your vision with her vast collection of gems and design wisdom. But we don’t always start the process with only an idea: sometimes, jewelry that you no longer wear is the subject of a transformation. If you own precious materials, like a family heirloom or loose gemstones, Eve is able to tailor them to suit your tastes. Eve believes in honoring the original integrity of the materials while simultaneously breathing fresh life into them!

For example, a customer recently came to Eve with a gorgeous pink opal set in a gold ring. As a ring, the opal wasn’t getting its moment to take center stage. So Eve thought of a few different options for this stone: she drew up ideas for it as a pendant, and then as a ring of her own design. But because this customer loves bracelets, they decided to set the stone in a sleek and delicate gold bracelet. Now, the pink opal is flanked by two pretty pie slice elements from Eve’s “Just Desserts” series. This decorative trio of opal and dessert pieces are attached to a simple gold band. Through collaborative processes like this one, you can highlight the beauty of the stones you own!

In that case, the opal was a singular element that sparked a bigger creation. We can also go in the other direction, and create multiple projects out of a single item or collection. For example, another customer arrived at the shop with her collection of gold and jade rings.

These jade ornaments are rich in both color and in emotional value: these deep-green cufflinks were purchased on a honeymoon. Now, they will be repurposed for another happy occasion. Eve is resetting two of the jade stones as cufflinks for the customer’s new son-in-law, as a wedding gift. Projects like these are a special way to preserve the sentimental meaning of the piece while updating its style or format. Eventually, another two of the rings might become a pair of earrings!

Similarly, customers might have a ring, or other piece of jewelry with multiple stones in it. If these stones are very tiny, a great way to update their appearance is to transform them into an eye-catching yet every-day type of necklace: a “Rain chain”. These types of chains are decorated with stones in simple bezels. Diamonds are classically a favorite choice for “Rain chains”, but other types of stones can also rock this modern look. Pictured here is a photo of a diamond “Rain chain”.

These are just a few examples of the reimagining that Eve does. If you think you have a stone or piece of jewelry that could use a trip to the gallery, please bring it and any ideas you have!

August Birthstones

By Alyssa Arroyo

August is here and in anticipation of this month, here are the August birthstones!

Peridot, The Gem of the Sun

Peridot is a warm green gem that is best suited for earrings, pins, pendants, and rings with a bezel setting. If you are hard on hands you’ll want to be sure cautious of hitting hard surfaces. Peridot is a 6.5-7 on Moh’s hardness scale making it a medium-hard stone. This joyful green color is dependent on the level of iron contained within the Peridot, giving it that friendly yellow-green hue.

Peridot is special for a couple of reasons; The green hue is consistent which is rare in gems. It is also 1 of only 2 gems that are formed in the molten rocks of the upper mantle rather than in the earth’s crust, where most gems are found. Peridot can be found in lava, meteorites, and deep in Earth’s mantle.

Peridot is seen as a stone associated with light, perfect for August and the summer sun. Ancient Egyptians mined Peridot on the Islands of Zabargad in the Red Sea. They referred to Peridot as the “gem of the sun”. Europeans also adorned cathedrals with Peridot in the middle ages and in Hawaii, Peridot can be found amongst the tiny grains of sand lining the beaches, Hawaiians believe they symbolize the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire.

The largest sources of Peridot are the United States, Myanmar, Pakistan, and the Himalayas. Here, at Eve J. Alfille Gallery and Studio, you can take a look at a variety of Peridot jewelry as well as select Peridot gems for any customizations you might want to make on your own jewelry or for new pieces you want to create.

Sardonyx, Hidden Between Layers

Sardonyx combines alternating layers of Sard and Onyx, having 2 types of the mineral chalcedony. The colors range from yellowish-red to reddish-brown to brownish-black. The color is dependent on the iron oxide within the stone. These lines of Sard and white chalcedony were once more precious than gold, silver, and sapphire.

Sardonyx is widely available and affordable when created as beads, gems, and jewelry. They are mostly found in India, Brazil, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Madagascar, Uruguay, and United States.

Roman Soldiers wore or carried Sardonyx talismans that were engraved with heroes and gods because they believed they would embody the same characteristics as the figure they wore around themselves. It is thought that orange Sardonyx stimulates, black Sardonyx absorbs, and green Sardonyx purifies.

Sardonyx is a 6.5 on Moh’s hardness scale. The gallery has plenty of Sardonyx for you to browse, in order to form any jewelry that you’d love to wear whether that be a pin, pendant, or pair of earrings.

Spinel, The Latest Addition

Spinel is the most recently added gem to the August birthstones and it’s known for its deep red color that is similar to rubies. Pure Spinel is colorless, different impurities change the color to reds, yellows, blues, violets, and many more. Spinel is an 8 on the Moh’s hardness scale, making it good for all kinds of jewelry.

Spinel was confused for many different gems. For example, Until the late 19th century rubies and Spinels were indistinguishable. The enormous “ruby” that is placed in the centerpiece of the royal crown of England, also known as the “black prince”, was in fact a Spinel. One way of distinguishing Spinels is through UV light because they are fluorescent.

South East Asia’s mines yielded enormous Spinel crystals in ancient times. These Spinels became the treasured property of kings and emperors, passing through many hands as spoils of war.

Good quality Spinel in size and color is mostly found in Burma, but they are also found in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Madagascar. We have a wide range of Spinels in our gallery space, from small drops to rings. They can be used in jewelry in many ways due to their varying size and color.

The August Birthstones consist of Peridot, Sardonyx, and Spinel. These 3 very different stones can all be found here at Eve J. Alfille Gallery and Studio. For those of us born in August, this is our month and these are our stones, happy summer!

Jewelry: Travel Edition

By Alyssa Arroyo

When traveling it’s essential to keep your jewelry safe, here are a few ways to secure your valuable and sentimental jewelry as you travel.

When going through security at the airport it’s okay to keep your jewelry on, it’s even encouraged by the TSA. You can wear a majority of your jewelry through the metal detectors without a problem. In the case that the metal detector does go off due to bulky or heavy pieces, the officer can inspect you there or you can ask to go to a private room so they can assess and examine you properly without unnecessary attention to your valuable jewelry.

DON’TS

You can wear all of your jewelry through security but it would be unwise to walk through with most of your necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings on all at the same time as you pass through the security checkpoints. So where do you keep the jewelry you’re not wearing? It’s vital to keep your jewelry close in a carry-on that will be on your person at all times. Be sure to place this jewelry in your carry-on prior to getting to the security point as you don’t want to forget, lose, or cause unwanted attention to the important pieces of jewelry you might be traveling with. Don’t place your jewelry in your checked luggage, as it can get lost or stolen. You also don’t want to place your fine jewelry in the bins or bowls used for change and money clips as they easily tip over and your items can get lost or damaged on the conveyer belt.

DO’S

Carry your jewelry in a travel jewelry case that has a zipper component in order to enclose your jewelry, and it should have a dedicated space for items like your rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. A pearl folder or jewelry pouch work well for organization and keeping your things from getting tangled and disrupted. Another way to carry your jewelry is in a travel jewelry roll (foldable/rollable) soft fabric or leather organizer that can keep your jewelry all together and compact for safe keeping in your carry- on.

For quick at home organization when you’re on the go or try reusing your household items, buttons, cardboard, straws, pill boxes, and towels, they can provide useful storage solutions.

• Buttons: You can place studs or any earrings with posts into the holes on your buttons and secure them with an ear nut on the back so they stay together and are easy to find.
• Cardboard: Similar to buttons, you can poke holes into thick cardboard and place your earrings into the cardboard in pairs and secure with the ear nut on the back.
• Straws: Necklaces and bracelets can be slid into the straw and clasped which keep them straight and prevents tangles
• Towels: Fragile jewelry can be wrapped in a towel and placed in a tight bag to keep secure and prevent any damage throughout your trip or at home
• Pill Boxes: These can be great for separating your jewelry into individual compartments for organization and to prevent pieces rubbing together.

SMALL, SECRET, SECURE

Keep in mind that you want to pack lightly, be discreet, and keep your items secure. Jewelry can easily be lost or stolen, Natalie and Michael Hekmat, a couple from Manhattan lost $88,200 worth of jewelry. On their way to Los Angeles from New York, the couple placed a jewelry roll with 9 rings into their checked baggage and when they arrived in Los Angeles and looked through their luggage the roll was still there, but the rings had vanished. In another case, a couple of American Airlines baggage handlers stole nearly $300,000 from a suitcase belonging to David Diamond, a jewelry dealer, he lost 925 items totaling $280,000.

Although it seems that we are in safe hands while going through the airport and traveling, there are many factors that can put your items in jeopardy. Here are some extra precautions to keep your jewelry safe:

Keep it small, only take what you need. We often over pack, although we might want to bring our entire closet, it’s best to figure out what jewelry you might actually wear. Leave behind the items that are extremely valuable to you or items you most likely won’t need while you’re away. A good plan is to take 1 or 2 pairs of Eve Earrings with her special hook and bring a few different (inexpensive is best) removable drops to change their look and coordinate with your outfits.

Make a list of your Jewelry. You’ll want to keep a visual inventory of the things you’re bringing along. Take pictures of everything and if possible any receipts. This will come in handy if you insure your jewelry on your travels, which is also another option. By keeping track of your jewelry in this way you can easily see if you forgot or lost anything you came with.

To summarize, carry your jewelry personally. Your jewelry should never leave you, whether thats on the plane or in your hotel. Be sure to have your jewelry in your carry on so you are in constant contact with it and keep an eye on it throughout the journey. When you get to your destination you can keep your jewelry in a hotel safe or in a secure area to make sure it’s protected while you are away from your room

Of course we think it’s important to stay stylish everywhere you go, even on your 4am flight. Be sure that wherever you are, you can keep your jewelry safe by taking these few extra steps for organization, security, and safety.

Aquamarine – the calming stone

by Ann Covode

For many centuries, oceanic energy was believed to be contained within the delicate semblance of Aquamarine. When amulets made of this precious gem were worn, sailors believed that unmatched bravery would be instilled in their souls, giving them the power to overcome even the most powerful storm. In these uncertain times, perhaps aquamarine can be a solace to your soul?

In the Middle Ages, aquamarine was one of the crystals most often used to create a ball for fortune telling. People back then also believed pairing an aquamarine with a diamond helped create a long happy marriage. They considered aquamarine to be a perfect gift for a wedding anniversary, thinking that it would bring more love into the relationship.

Aquamarine will be featured in Eve’s new series opening of May 2nd (tentative date).

Brazil was previously the world’s major supplier of Aquamarine; however, today, African nations, such as Nigeria and Madagascar, provide a greater supply of this gemstone. The blue color comes from the presence of ferrous iron.

Aquamarine is part of the Beryl family. Beryl is found throughout the world, but commercial gem-quality deposits are limited to a few major producers. Nearly all of the largest examples of gem beryls known are from Brazilian localities. In Asia, quanities of aquamarine come from Sri Lanka and from Kashmir in the north of India and Madras in the south. In the last twenty-five years Pakistan has also produced a number of aquamarines and morganites.

The Malagasy Republic of Africa produces a wide range of fine-quality beryls and some exceptionally dark-colored aquamarines. Nigeria has in recent years produced large quantities of aquamarines, found in numerous pegmatite veins. Most recently, Australia has produced aquamarine from Mount Surprise, in North Queensland.

Eve designed this stunning pale blue-green “Winter Solstice” necklace featuring smooth aquamarine ovals, rainforest aquamarine rondelles, rainforest aquamarine briolettes and labradorite discs. The 18 karat white gold chain beautifully brings all the elements together in this stunning necklace from Eve’s “A Winter’s Tale” series.

Eve’s “Winter’s Solstice” Necklace

All varieties of beryl (other than emerald) are subject to heat treatment. A number of green beryls will change color under mild heat treatment to an equivalent shade of blue and therefore become aquamarines. Another beryl variety is emerald, which often has many inclusions, wheras Aquamarine has a flawless crystal structure. Aquamarine forms in a hexagonal system, which forms bladed crystals with vertical striations.

The name Aquamarine translates as you might expect, aqua marina meaning water of the sea in Latin. Metaphysically, people believe that Aquamarine has a soothing and calming effect.

Eve designed this spectacular new Aquamarine ring featuring a center stone of 6.70 carats with a companion two side trillion shaped stones of 1.20tw. To complement its beauty there are 6 pretty white diamonds totaling 0.14tw.

Eve’s new Aquamarine Ring

This chunky aquamarine and 18 karat gold necklace is from Eve’s “Antiquities” series. The play with gold and aquamarine makes for a delightful combination.

Eve’s Aquamarine and 18 karat gold necklace

Red sky in the morning is a sailors warning, red sky at night is a sailor’s delight. Aquamarine for your loved one means smooth sailing!

Aquamarines