Author: scottjewelrydesign

This all began years ago when I was producing craft tutorial videos for When Creativity Knocks. I became fascinated with polymer clay jewelry making and started making my own. Bead jewelry followed and now I have a nice inventory of products for sale on www.scottjewelrydesign.com and Bonanza
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What is Turquoise?

Turquoise stone

Admired since ancient times, turquoise is known for its distinct color, which ranges from powdery blue to greenish robin egg blue. It’s one of few minerals to lend its name to anything that resembles its striking color.

The word “turquoise” dates back to the 13th century, drawing from the French expression pierre tourques, which referenced the “Turkish stone” brought to Europe from Turkey.

Ancient Persia (now Iran) was the traditional source for sky blue turquoise gemstones. This color is often called “Persian blue” today, regardless of its origin. The Sinai Peninsula in Egypt was also an important historical source of turquoise gems.

The U.S. is now the world’s largest turquoise supplier. Nevada, New Mexico, California, and Colorado have produced turquoise, but Arizona leads in production by value, as well as quality. The stone’s popularity here makes it a staple in Native American jewelry.

(3)

Turquoise is found in arid regions where rainwater dissolves copper in the soil, forming colorful nodular deposits when it combines with aluminum and phosphorus. Copper contributes blue hues, while iron and chrome add a hint of green.

Some turquoise contains pieces of host rock, called matrix, which appear as dark webs or patches in the material. This can lower the stone’s value, although the uniform “spiderweb” pattern of Southwestern turquoise is attractive.

Turquoise is sensitive to direct sunlight and solvents like makeup, perfume, and natural oils. The hardest turquoise only measures 6 on the Mohs scale, which made this soft gemstone popular in carved talismans throughout history.

From ancient Egyptians to Persians, Aztecs and Native Americans, kings and warriors alike admired turquoise for thousands of years. It adorned everything from jewelry to ceremonial masks to weapons and bridles.

Highly esteemed for its striking namesake color and its ancient history, turquoise’s popularity remains timeless. (2)

In My Shop

Natural Turquoise Stone Bead Necklaces

Natural Turquoise Stone Bead Necklaces

$27.00

These Natural Turquoise Stone Bead Necklaces are composed of Natural Turquoise Stone Beads, Natural African Turquoise Stone Beads, gold-plated round spacer beads and toggle clasp

2 in stock

SKU: SJDB098
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Sources

(1) Image by tohamina on Freepik
(2) American Gem Society
(3) Image by Freepik

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What is Anhydrite (Angelite)?

Angelite in hands

Rare and difficult to cut, anhydrite is seldom faceted. However, this material can be carved into beautiful objects. “Angelite,” a blue-gray variety, has become a popular choice for lapidary arts.

This translucent, blue-gray anhydrite variety known by the trade name “angelite” or “angeline” has become a popular gem material. Discovered in Peru, it was introduced to worldwide gem markets in the late 1980s. This material has been used for beads, spheres, and carvings. Of course, these trade names carry deliberate angelic connotations. The gem’s color may evoke sky blue or, perhaps, a “heavenly” blue.

Does Anhydrite Make a Good Jewelry Stone?

Anhydrite doesn’t occur in abundance. When exposed to water over time, it alters into the much more commonly found gypsum. Not surprisingly, facetable material is rarer still.

With excellent cleavage planes in three directions, anhydrites also prove challenging to cut and fragile for wear. Furthermore, with a hardness range of 3-3.5, they’re very susceptible to scratching, which further limits their use as jewelry stones. Avoid ring use and use protective settings whenever possible with this gem. Consider creating earrings, pendants, and bracelets, instead. Artisans have carved objects and cut cabochons from this material. Of course, carvings and decorative objects will hopefully face fewer risks than jewelry.

Close-up view of a polished anhydrite stone showcasing brown and yellow bands with intricate patterns.
Anhydrite Bowel Stone (2)

Other Anhydrite Varieties

Although angelite is the most well-known anhydrite variety, various types of anhydrites with lapidary uses or unusual appearances have also received trade names. (1)

  • Bowel Stone
    Anhydrite that occurs in folded, concretionary forms is known as bowel stone. This variety name also carries deliberate connotations.
  • Blue “Egyptian” Anhydrite
    The Ancient Egyptians used white anhydrite as well as a distinctive blue-tinted variety to create beautiful objects. However, the ancient source of the blue material, which takes a good polish, has never been found.
  • Vulpinite
    This white-gray, marble-like textured material from Volpino, Italy is used locally for cabs and as a decorative stone.

Identifying Characteristics

Because of the intersection of anhydrite’s cleavage planes at right angles, these gems may break apart and reveal cube-like (pseudo-cubic) forms. This appearance has led to another name for this gemstone: “cube spar.” Despite appearances, anhydrites have an orthorhombic crystal habit, not a cubic or isometric habit. (1)

Blue “Egyptian” Anhydrite (2)

How to Care for Anhydrites

Keep any anhydrites dry, especially if placed in storage. They will readily absorb moisture and, over time, turn wholly or partly into gypsum.

Don’t wipe dust off anhydrites. Since household dust consists mostly of silicon quartz, which is far harder (7) than anhydrites, you’ll scratch them. Pat them with a lint-free cloth, instead. (1)

Sources
(1) International Gem Society
(2) FreePik

In My Shop

Angelite and Agate Necklaces

Angelite and Agate Necklaces

$32.00

These Angelite and Agate Necklaces are composed of 8mm Natural Green Angelite Gemstone, 8mm Natural Blue Dragon Agate, silver-plated round spacer beads and magnetic clasps.

2 in stock

SKU: SJDB149
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What is Polymer Clay?

Polymer Clay Selection

Polymer clay is a type of hardenable modeling clay based on the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It typically contains no clay minerals, but like mineral clay a liquid is added to dry particles until it achieves gel-like working properties. Similarly, the part is put into an oven to harden, hence its colloquial designation as clay. Polymer clay is generally used for making arts and craft items, and is also used in commercial applications to make decorative parts. Art made from polymer clay can now be found in major museums.

Bakelite, an early plastic, was popular with designers and was an early form of polymer clay, but the phenol base of uncured Bakelite was flammable and was eventually discontinued. Polymer clays were first formulated as a possible replacement for Bakelite. One of these formulations was brought to the attention of German doll maker Käthe Kruse in 1939. While it was not suitable for use in her factory, Kruse gave some to her daughter Sophie, who was known in the family as “Fifi”, who successfully used it as modeling clay. The formulation was later sold to Eberhard Faber and marketed under the name “FIMO” (FIfi’s MOdeling compound).

Polymer clay earrings
Polymer Clay Earrings (2)

Polymer clays contain a basis of PVC resin and a liquid plasticizer,[4] making it a plastisol. Polymer clay plastisol is also categorized as a plastigel because of its rheological properties.[5] It is a high yield thixotropic material: when a sufficient force is applied, the material yields, flowing like a viscous liquid until that force is removed, whereupon it returns to being a solid. This plasticity is what makes it useful as modeling clay as opposed to putty or paste. Plastigels retain their shape even when heat is applied, which is why polymer clay does not melt or droop when oven cured. Various gelling agents are added to give it this property, such as aminated bentonite, metallic soaps, or fumed silica.

The base resin can be modified in various ways. Mineral oil, lecithin, and odorless mineral spirits can be added to reduce its viscosity or alter its working properties. Small amounts of zinc oxide, kaolin, or other fillers are sometimes added to increase opacity, elastic modulus, or compression strength. Polymer clay is available in many colors, which can be mixed to create a wide range of colors or gradient blends. Special-effect colors and composites include translucent, fluorescent, phosphorescent, and faux “pearls”, “metallics”, and “stone.”

Polymer clay remains workable until cured. Curing occurs at temperatures from 265 °F (129 °C) to 275 °F (135 °C) sustained for 15 minutes per 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm) of thickness.[1] This temperature is significantly less than for mineral clays and can be achieved using a home oven. Professional polymer clay brands shrink very little when cured. Brands of polymer clay include Cernit, Oytra, Fimo, Kato Polyclay, Sculpey, PVClay Brasil, Crafty Argentina and Cosclay.

home pasta-making machine
Home Pasta-making Machine (3)

A home pasta-making machine is a popular multi-purpose tool for polymer clay artists. It is used to create sheets of uniform thickness, to mix colors or create variegated sheets, and to condition (soften) the clay. Polymer clay generally needs to be conditioned before use. This involves kneading the clay by hand, passing it between two rollers, or using a low-shear mixer to break up any resin particle adhesions. Once conditioned, the clay will remain pliable until the particles eventually re-adhere.

Oven-hardenable PVC plastisol, “liquid polymer clay,” is a complement to polymer clay that can be used as an adhesive to combine pieces, or to create various effects. Pigments, chalk pastel, and regular polymer clay can be added to make colored liquid clay. The liquid can also be poured into molds to produce cast parts. (1)

In My Shop

White Pink Heart Earrings

White Pink Heart Earrings

$23.00

These White Pink Heart Earrings are composed of Polymer Clay and Gold-Plated Earring Components including Studs

SKU: SJDB154
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Sources

(1) Wikipedia
(2) FreePik
(3) Sculpey