New Rings { and a CONTEST } !!!

As you probably know if you've been reading this blog for more than say, a week - I recently learned some new stone setting techniques that have me all excited about new design directions. I've spent the last couple of weeks ordering supplies and getting my studio better organized, and finally during the last two days, I've had a chance to try out these new techniques here on my own.

The results have been mixed - for every success, there have been numerous failures and frustrations, but I know that with practice, it will all become easier. (I remember how difficult bezel setting seemed at first, and now I could practically do that in my sleep.) Of the several pieces I have attempted in the last few days, two have turned out well enough to sell. Without further ado...

California pink tourmaline and recycled sterling silver ring
(5mm faceted stone on 5mm flat band, textured satin finish)
click here for more photos

Moissanite, recycled 14k gold, and recycled sterling silver ring
(5mm faceted stone on comfort fit band, textured satin finish)
click here for more photos

If you're not familiar with moissanite, allow me to blather on a bit regarding what I've learned about this amazing material. Moissanite was originally born from a meteorite over 50,000 years ago, and was first discovered by Dr. Henri Moissan in 1893 in material collected from a meteor crater in Arizona. These incredibly brilliant sparkling crystals might have been considered "diamonds from space," but Dr. Moissan's research actually identified them as a new mineral find - silcon carbide, whose chemical composition is SiC (diamonds are made from carbon). This stunning jewel is extremely rare, and almost impossible to find in nature. So rare, in fact, that the dream of using it in jewelry was an impossibility until man discovered a way to create and craft these incredible silicon carbide crystals here on Earth.

With more fire than any popular gemstone (including diamond), no other stone or jewel compares to Moissanite. In fact, fire can be measured scientifically and moissanite has nearly 2.4 times the fire of diamond. Moissanite also has 10% more brilliance and luster than diamond. Proven to be harder than ruby, sapphire or emerald and second only to diamond, moissanite is also extraordinarily heat resistant, durable, and tough. It is extremely resistant to scratching, abrasion, breaking and chipping. And because these phenomenal stones are grown in a laboratory, you don't have to worry about the ethical problems involved with harvesting diamonds and other mined gems.

Pretty cool, huh? :-) I doubt that my pictures adequately capture how pretty this material really is, but it's truly amazing - so sparkly and gorgeous! This ring also reflects my first attempt at including gold in any of my work - a trend I hope to expand on as my budget allows.

Okay, I know what you're thinking - enough already, what about the contest? Be patient, grasshopper.

Here's the thing. I've been spending a lot of time lately thinking about my business and where I hope to be a few years down the road, and I've come to the conclusion that I want to work toward a couple of goals. First, I would like to begin creating some higher end pieces, using really amazing stones (including more moissanite) and different varieties of recycled gold, and second, I want to begin using exclusively earth-, human-, and animal-friendly materials. I already incorporate many of these ideals in my current work, abstaining from using any animal-derived materials, and using mostly recycled silver, but I want to take it further. I'm hoping to create a new collection that uses 100% recycled metal and stones that are either (a) lab grown, (b) mined in the United States, or (c) mined in other countries, but have been independently certified as not involving mining practices that are destructive to the environment or dangerous to workers.

Here's where I need your help. I'd like to come up with a name for this new line that somehow encapsulates all of these ideas - both the ethical aspects and the higher-end feel. To enter this contest, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with a suggestion for a name for my new collection. I have a few ideas of my own already but nothing I'm attached to yet, so throw out any words, phrases, tag lines, etc. you can think of. The winner will be chosen at random in a couple of weeks and will be awarded with a $25 credit to be used in either my jewelry shop or my bead shop.

Yay! Thanks for playing!