Thursday, April 2, 2009

I think many of you can appreciate how a beautiful gemstone can make you feel. It makes you want to look at it, hold it, and imagine what you might create. That's what I felt when I saw these Rainforest Jasper at a local gemshow last weekend.
They were mined in Australia. Look at all the colors! Reds, greens, yellows, blues, and more. The blues are actually translucent and look like opal. These cabochons are a perfect size for pendants.

I also bought a couple pieces of picture jasper. I've never bought this rock before, but I've always loved the way that they can remind you of landscapes - they almost look like they're painted rather than real stone. The large stone on the right reminds me of a Japanese watercolor of mountains, with a rainstorm pouring down from the heavens. The other, which is smaller, looks more like a desert landscape.

Now I have to tell you a story about the dealer who sold me these jasper cabochons . Apparently, when I bought them from him, he forgot to put one of them in my bag. He actually called me that evening (he had my phone number from the credit card receipt), apologized, and said that he would mail it to me!

Yes, there are still nice people in this world and he helped to affirm that.

What's in store for tomorrow? I haven't decided. It'll either be the tourmalated quartz I purchased, or the new earrings I made from the Red Creek Jasper. (I tried a new technique setting them and I'm quite excited about the results.)


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12 Comments:

  1. Audrey said...
    WOW!! Those are beautiful! I would make a pair of earrings if the beads weren't to big!
    Sherry said...
    All the earth's colors together, they're really beautiful.
    My Inspired Reality said...
    I love picture jasper. As an artist, I am so inspired to paint my next landscape:):)
    Melissa said...
    I love picture jasper. It is probably one of my most favorite gemstones, in the cabachon form. I had never heard of rainforest jasper, what an interesting looking stone.
    Owl and Fox said...
    rainforest jasper is one of my favourites, so gorgeous! Loving your gem porn! :)
    Anne said...
    The stones are simply lovely and inspiring. I use picture jasper a lot but have never come across rainforest jasper, sooo beautiful!

    I like reading your blog and admire the things you create. But I have one objection: Beads are beautiful - porn is not! So why use the two words together in your titles???
    Contrariwise said...
    Anne,
    Sorry. I don't mean to offend. I am just doing a play on words which corresponds to the way I can feel.

    According to Webster, porn can be defined as: the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction.

    I have to admit, when I see some beautiful beads or stones, they can arouse a very emotional response.

    :-)
    Anonymous said...
    They're beautiful...like little landscapes.
    KayzKreationz said...
    Again, more jasper that I love. That picture jasper is gorgeous also. But I can't wait to see what you did with that Red Creek jasper you had pictured the other day. I love it.
    http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
    http://KayzKreationz.etsy.com
    Contrariwise said...
    KayzKreationz,
    The Red Creek Jasper earrings are finished. I just have to take some photos. I'm going to have to try to get them done tomorrow and post them as soon as possible.
    outofthepinksky said...
    I love, love, love that bead in the middle photo. It looks like its tea-stained.
    Anonymous said...
    Wow, the colors and inclusions in the first pic are fantastic! And the striated lines in the rest are very dramatic and eye catching! Can't wait to see what you do. Teri
    http://www.sandtcreations.com/wordpress

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