Search results matching tags 'Art Jewelry magazine' and 'gems'

NASA finds new Space-opals on Mars!

Addie Kidd — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:47:00 GMT

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has spotted some opal-like material on Mars. Check out the satellite photo at left.

The presence of these hydrated minerals in relatively "young rock" (We're talking only about 2 billion years old here. You know...young.) has scientists all excited because it gives a timeline for when Mars likely had enough water to support life.

This discovery has me excited because I love pretty, pretty opals.

Now I'm just trying to figure out how long it will take space pioneers to start mining this stuff. Can you imagine?? Necklaces and possibly engagement rings of the future could be sporting Martian opals. Crazy, huh?

~Addie~

You can read the story on NASA's Web site here.
If you'd like more information about all thing opal, check out our printable Opal Glossary.
And for information about how best to clean opals and other gems, see out our printable Gemstone Cleaning Chart.

Thanks to The Daily Jewel blog for the link, and NASA for the picture.

Think about visiting Tucson for the gem and mineral (and jewelry, tools, metals, wire...) shows! The Art Jewelry editors are.

Kristin Sutter — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:55:00 GMT

It's November, and here in the Art Jewelry offices, our thoughts are turning to the Southwest — not because our Wisconsin locale means we've already got snow in the forecast, but because in February, the city of Tucson, Ariz., is inundated with countless vendors from every facet of the jewelry world. Every year, we make the trip to scout for new products, new discoveries, new contacts, and new friends. If you've never heard of the phenomenon that is Tucson, check out "How to Tackle Tucson." The article, written by editor and veteran Tucson-goer Hazel L. Wheaton, is a practical guide to what "Tucson" is, why you should go, and how to enjoy the experience.

For dates of the 2009 Tucson shows, go to www.visittucson.org. If you can't make it to Tucson, you can look for shows near you in our Events Calendar. You can also discuss shows, including Tucson, in Going to a Show? on our forum.

Enjoy!

—Kristin

A peridot ring for my birthday!

Kristin Sutter — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:45:00 GMT

Last week, I celebrated my birthday. One of the coolest gifts I got was from Associate Editor Addie Kidd. As I unwrapped her gift, I realized that the box could contain only jewelry. I got excited — you know that jewelry from a jeweler will be good. Happily for me, I was right!

The box held this peridot-and-sterling-silver ring by KEW Designs (Kim E. Wilson, from Fox Point, Wisc., is the jeweler). I love green, so peridot is one of my favorite stones. And since I'm into a sort of earthy, things-coming-just-a-little-bit-undone thing, I also love the subtly rugged shank.

Word is, Associate Editor Jill Erickson helped Addie pick out the ring at the Milwaukee Art Museum's Ornaments and Adornments Show, which was Nov. 16–17, 2007. (You'll have to watch for next year's show!) I like the ring so much that I haven't taken it off since I got it, but the best part of my gift is knowing that I have such thoughtful friends and coworkers!

Thanks, you two!

–Kristin