Tooting

I, as anyone would, enjoy hearing from my customers. So I'm tooting my own horn by sharing a comment I just received. I spend some time with my customers when I have the opportunity and I think more jewelry designers should engage their vendors, you might get even better service. 
Anyway, this is what Deb had to say:


Millie,

I LOVE your web site and your rocks!! You'll see that I have sent you another order because I can't bear not to have this next set of cabs, but especially the blue agate heart!! I can see millions? (I should live this long...) of hours in the next few weeks setting these beautiful stones into bead embroidery. Thanks for making these available at reasonable prices.
Deb

Thank you Deb, your comments mean more than you know.

The Wow Stone - Marvelous Malachite

Just listed this fabulous bullseye Malachite cabochon.  One of the most difficult stone to acquire is a stone with this kind of pattern.

Go to the Malachite Gallery to see More: Click Here

New pages at the web site

I don't know where January went; I've been so busy cataloging, measuring, weighing and taking pictures the time just blew away.  I've been restocking and will be for awhile, my stock was getting seriously low. the turquoise is almost gone. I'm trying to find something special but it isn't an easy task when you want to buy in volume, there is a lot of junk out there.

I have however, found some fabulous Malachite and Lapis; both all natural. If you take the time to check pricing I think you will be very happy with the pricing. The Lapis has a good amount of gold in it, from Afghanistan; as nice as it is I think it probably came from old stock.


Malachite now has it's own gallery and so does Lapis. 


If you like druzy, I've got over 1000 cts on the way, in all kinds of stunning colors but it will be a bit before that gets listed.  


Thanks for all the interest and purchases you made already in 2012!

Ethiopian Opals Now Available!

While most commonly referred to as Wollo, this Ethiopian province can also be spelled/translated as “Welo” or “Wello”. Currently, all spellings are considered valid, although Wollo seems to be the preferred spelling among English speakers.

The nation of Ethiopia, in north-eastern Africa also produces some beautiful specimens of volcanic opal.
The hydrophane variety known as "chocolate opal (aka "hydrophane fire opal") is found at Yita Ridge, near Mezezo (the woredas, or district of Mafud Mezezo Mojana) in the Amhara Region of the Ethiopian highlands. The "Wello Opal," also known colloquially as "Crystal Fire Opal" is found to the north of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, in the province of Wollo.

Opal Color Classification Precious opal is divided into numerous sub-groups depending on
its body color, incorporating matrix, size/shape of the areas of color. Thin pieces of precious opal can also be attached to, laminated to, or backed by  foreign material forming an opal "doublet," or glued between a clear glass cap and a foreign backing (potch, glass or ironstone) to form a "triplet." These are sometimes referred to as "assembled opals." Both of these last constructions can produce attractive durable gems, but are much less desirable than gems made from solid opal. Opal is typically cut into a cabochon, although highly transparent fire opals can be faceted. Opal's color varieties are classified as: "Black Opal" (black body color) which has three designations from dark to light (Black 1, Black 2, Black 3), "Semi-Black" of "Grey" (dark body color), "Light" (between semi-black and white), "White" (hydrophane opal with very light body), and the rare "pineapple" psuedomorphic opal (ikaite) from White Cliffs in NSW, Australia.

General opal classifications are: "Boulder Opal" which is opal on a dark ironstone matrix (typical occurrence: Quilpie, Queensland); "Crystal Opal" which is transparent to semi-transparent black, semi-black or white opal which has a play of color (typical occurrence: South Australia and New South Wales); "Fire Opal" or "Arananjado Opal" which is translucent to transparent, with yellow, orange, or red body color (typical occurrence: Querétaro, Magdalena Jalisco, Mexico); "Contra Luz Opal" which is a precious opal where that only displays a play of color when held up to the light (typical occurrence: Opal Butte, Oregon); "Matrix Opal" or "Mass Opal" which has thin seams of precious opal in an ironstone matrix (typical occurrence: Andamooka, South Australia).

Opals are available for purchase on the small and fine gemstones gallery.

Feature Stones of the Week with Bonus

Make a pendant, bracelet and earrings with this combo! Buy both and save $2.00 Go to the Web Site for complete descriptions.

Gorgeous Blue Agates

Australian Boulder Opals

New This Week

Australian Boulder Opals

Love them Opals!

Featured Stone of the Week

I'll be yours if you be mine!

This Week's Featured Stone

Australian Brecciated Mookaite

IJ350-1153599826

48mm x 22mm x 7mm

40 carat
Designer Shape

Mohs Hardness 7

Treatments None

One Only -Drilled

$ 9.55 USD