Where possible, we try to always use gemstones
in their natural form. We think they are quite beautiful just as they
are. However, there are some gemstones or organic gem materials that
wouldn't exist without treatment. For example, there would be no Black
Onyx without the dyeing process as Black Onyx does not naturally occur in
nature. Much of the green Amber that is seen around is created by
heating the back which causes regular Amber to turn that beautiful green
shade. Most solid colored carnelian is heated treated so that the color
is dark and uniform. Most natural carnelian ranges in one bead from
nearly clear to bright orange - it is quite beautiful, but most folks are not
accustomed to seeing natural amber and may not recognize it. Many of the
wonderful pearl colors are brought about by dyeing and/or irradiation.
Quite a lot of Rose Quartz is dyed so that it appears a darker, brighter
pink. In its natural form, Rose Quartz is a very soft, almost
whitish-pink.
Since imitation Hematite
(often referred to as Hematine or Hemalyke) is virtually identical to the
genuine article (we don't think so), the real and the artificial are used
interchangeably and the majority of wholesale vendors to the trade don't even
disclose to us whether they are using fake Hematite. He know how to tell
the difference and we put our sharp eye to work for you. We try to only
buy Hematite from vendors who sell genuine Hematite. Similarly, we avoid
buying Rose Quartz where we can see it has been dyed. Again, many
wholesale vendors to the trade do not disclose whether items are dyed or
natural, so we have to use our eye. We are very picky and we don't like
the dyed stuff unless, as in the case of Black Onyx and similar stones, it's
the only way to get it.
So what do we
do? We look for real, untreated gemstones and we do our very best to
know that's what we have. We also disclose what we know about these
stones to you in the description of every item that uses gemstones.
Our Favorites
The designing mind at Clintonia adores
gemstones that have more than one face... the subtle flashes of indigo and
aqua fire in otherwise demure-looking Rainbow Moonstone and Labradorite,
Moonstone with its roving eye, the pearly sheens of red, brown, and blue Tiger
Eye, the rich blendings of deep, earthy color in Pietersite and Tiger Iron,
the eerie sheen of Blue Chalcedony, the soft sunset tones of Ametrine melding
in one sparkling gem, Hessonite Garnet that can be light vanilla in one bead
and deep cognac in another, or the dignified dusty purple of Iolite with it's
bronzey-gray hints in certain types of light. The subtleties of
multi-faced gems expands your wardrobe options and delights the eye.
Have you ever had a piece of jewelry that you admired every time you passed a
mirror or carried a piece of jewelry around just so you could stare deep into
the beads, marveling at their colors and patterns? We have! If you
haven't, write us, and
we'll use your tastes to help get you set up in something you'll love.
We
love the striations and patterns that vary so greatly from bead to bead in
richly colored Poppy Jasper, the deep, dulcet blue dreaminess of Dumortierite,
the dignified here-I-am banding of Botswana Agate, the African drumbeats we
seem to hear in Leopardskin Jasper, the go-with-anything appeal of Crazy Lace
Agate, the creepy reptilian slithers of Green Jasper, the soft lady-pinks of
Rhodonite, the mystifying patterns of Ocean Jasper, the gray/black cobwebs
that grace white Howlite, the pearly bands on deep green Zebra Jasper, and the
lacey white patterns in periwinkle Blue Lace Agate. We're smitten with
this rich variety and adore the unusual.
The
smoother single color stones have a special place in our hearts and designs as
well. There's nothing like the slick mirror sheen of Hematite for those
days when you want black, but Black Onyx seems like too much. The soft
colored "ice" shades of palest pink Rose Quartz, cool aqua
Amazonite, the peach of Aragonite, the soft pastels of Serpentine and New Jade
and the cool look of White Onyx.
Every piece of jewelry from Clintonia Couture Jewelry
is hand
made for YOU upon order.
What does this mean to you? It means any piece
of jewelry you select will be hand made for YOUR body. It'll fit
the way you want it to fit so you can look the way you want to look.
If you're happy with the size we've specified, then you need do nothing
else but order it. However, we specialize in making jewelry that
fits exactly as you like it and will work with you to get it the size
you need. Simply specify the size you need in the NOTES TO
DESIGNER field of the shopping cart or send
us an email.
Thank you for shopping Clintonia Couture Jewelry. We appreciate
your business!
