Distinction Jewelry – The Blog

Sterling silver is an alloy (a mixture of different metals) composed of 92.5% silver.  The other 7.5% is a mixture of other metals, usually copper and zinc, but sometimes including other metals as well.  These metals are introduced into the alloy primarily to increase the hardness.  Pure (called “Fine”) silver is quite soft, meaning that it bends and scratches easily.  While fine silver is a lovely material with many jewelry applications, sterling silver is far more durable for most mainstream jewelry uses.  For instance, earring hooks made from fine silver will bend out of shape much more easily than those made from sterling. (more…)

I’ll admit it – I’m still in the denial stage of grief over the cancellation of one of my very favorite television shows, Stargate Atlantis.  Not only that, but the promises of “You’ll get a new show to replace it with,” and “We’ll make a movie,” sound a little too much like “Don’t worry, Timmy, we’ll get you a new puppy and he’ll be just as nice as the old one I just backed over with my truck.”

To which I respond with a pout and a sniff: “But will it have Shep in it protecting his team and looking really good in tight black t-shirts?  And will it have Carson with his compassion and his gentle Scottish accent?  Will it have Rodney making sure we know he just saved a universe or two and ensuring that we don’t stick citrus in his lunchbox? How about Ronon, to hug people and hit them with really big sticks?” (more…)

Okay, I’ll admit it: I have a crush on topaz.  This versatile stone is beautiful, durable, and affordable, and it comes in a wide range of lovely blues as well as several other colors.  It has a Mohs hardness of 8 (very hard!) and a high refractive index (sparkle/light reflection).  It does have a relatively strong cleavage, meaning that like a diamond it can be fractured with a sharp blow.  Like any gem, even a diamond, it should not be treated as indestructable, however it is one of the more durable, affordable gemstones on the market. (more…)

When this gorgeous new material showed up on the market a few years ago, I had a feeling it wasn’t a completely natural stone, but I loved it none the less.  I bought a fair amount of it, and I have several items available made with it in my online shop.  Back in the day, I scoured the internet and asked experts, trying to find out more about what dealers were claiming to be a natural stone called Mexican fire agate. (more…)

I’m a procrastinator, and I’ve been known to get pretty down on myself because of it.  For instance, there are a number of very useful things I could be doing right now besides blogging.  Like adding some recently made jewelry pieces to my store, or catching up on email.  Or doing some important work on my websites.  Procrastination is GREATLY aided by the not-so-subtle influence of the narcotics the doctors just gave me for a wonky gall bladder….and that’s where my changed perspective of the day comes in. (more…)

Pink is an enduringly popular color for women’s jewelry, and there are many options to choose from!

Garnet
Pink sapphire
Pink topaz
Pink tourmaline
Rhodochrosite
Rhodonite
Rose quartz
Ruby

It is common for gemstones to be treated in a variety of ways to enhance or change their appearance and durability.  Some stones are almost always treated, while others are almost always natural.  Most treatments, such as heat treatment and irradiation, are permanent.  Others, such as dyes, waxes, and oils, may not be.  I don’t object to most treatments, as they generally serve to increase the beauty of the stone, but I have a personal dislike of dyed stones and rarely use them.  I have had bad experiences with dyes fading over time. (more…)