Agate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz (silica), chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of colour.The stone was given its name by Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher and naturalist, who discovered the stone along the shore line of the river Achates sometime between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. Colorful agates and other chalcedonies were obtained over 3,000 years ago from the Achates River, now called Dirillo, in Sicily. ...

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Today I finally finished a hair clip -- decided to call it Japanese red, because my boyfriend said upon seeing it that for some reason it looks Japanese. And so it became Japanese Red. Middle stones are fire agate, small round stones -- Carneol, black and grey soutache braid and Gutterman silver beads. This hair clip is made to order, but so far...

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Amethyst  is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the Ancient Greek ἀ a- ("not") and μέθυστος methustos ("intoxicated"), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness; the ancient Greeks and Romans wore amethyst and made drinking vessels of it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication. ...

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Red jasper Jasper -- it is so varied and different that at times it is even difficult to recognise it. So many beautiful varieties of this particular mineral have caught my eye. I will show you some of what I have and tell you more about the mineral itself. ...

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Next -- pyritised ammonites. The one I have is cut in an unexpected way -- not a horizontal cross-section, but vertical. ...

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Second part of my stone collection. It will feature Seraphinite (also known by the chlorite mica varietal name: clinochlore). The stones that I have are from Russia. ...

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I have dabbled in felting very very little -- tried a wet felted flower and now am going to dive deep -- my own felted bag. Already have the wool and all the needed equipment, even have made the design and cut it out. ...

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I am going to post photos of the more interesting stones that I have and information about them for those who would like to order a custom made piece of jewellery. This is first part in which I will show you photos of beautiful Simbircite cabochons that I acquired recently. This particular kind of stone has been discovered only recently and only in Russia....

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