Overview of beach/sea glass for jewelry making: colors linked to historic bottle sources, amethyst color from manganese dioxide exposed to UV light, the North American Sea Glass Association, and where to find sea glass (old dump sites, post-storm beaches).
Posted in Beach, East Hampton, Hamptons, Jewelry
Tagged Amagansett, Beach, beach glass, east hampton, Hamptons, Jewelry, Montauk, Napeague, necklace, pendent, ring, Sag Harbor, sea glass, silver, springs
Educational post about colored diamonds: impurities cause color (boron=blue, nitrogen=yellow, radiation=green, plastic deformation=red/pink). Mentions the 35-carat Wittelsbach blue diamond ($24M at Christie’s 2008) and BPM 37093 – the largest known diamond in the universe (a white dwarf star nicknamed Lucy).
Inspired by prehistoric cave art and Shah Jahan’s jeweled falcon, showcasing animal-themed jewelry: a sterling silver dog paw pendant with chocolate diamonds, a silver paw-print plaque, a diamond dog tag (40 diamonds), and a sterling silver horseshoe pendant with gold caps and diamond nails.
Made a snake ring for his 15-year-old daughter (silver with chocolate diamond head and ruby eyes). Research into history of serpent rings: from Queen Victoria’s snake engagement ring to modern celebrity wearers. Explores snake symbolism in world mythology (Ouroboros, Aesculapius).
Evidence that the rippled pattern on some Anomia simplex (jingle shells) is caused by growing on a rippled substrate like a scallop from infancy – unlike slipper shells which appear to migrate between substrates.
Posted in Conchology - Shells
Tagged anomia, bay, beaches, Conchology - Shells, east hampton, Hamptons, jingle, jingle shells, oyster, saddle oyster, Shells, simplex, springs, toe nails
Investigation of the Kimberley Process and Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields. Mugabe’s forces seized the fields violently; the Kimberley Process (designed for rebel groups, not governments) struggled to respond. The designation ‘Kimberley Certified’ risks becoming meaningless.
Detailed study of Anomia simplex (Jingle Shells/Neptune’s Toenails) found on East Hampton beaches: anatomy, ecology, color variation (yellow vs orange), and the mystery of their bright coloring. Includes jingle shell earring jewelry.
Posted in Conchology - Shells, Jewelry
Tagged anomia, bay, beaches, Conchology - Shells, east hampton, Hamptons, jingle, jingle shells, oyster, saddle oyster, Shells, simplex, springs, toe nails
3rd visit to Doha coincides with the opening of the IM Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art. Highlights: Mughal emperor necklace with pink spinels, Shah Jahan’s jade calligraphic pendant, Fatimid-period gold filigree bracelets, and Shah Jahan’s Jeweled Falcon (1640) – a 10-inch bird completely encrusted with gold, enamel, rubies, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and onyx.
History of wedding rings from prehistoric shell necklaces (82,000 years ago) through Egyptian reed bands, Mesopotamian gold (2500 BC), Roman iron betrothal rings, medieval church benediction, to present-day customs worldwide. Advice on personalizing wedding rings.
