This stone has been used for a Very long time. It is documented that Peridot/Olivine was used in jewelry by ancient Egyptians several thousands of years prior to the birth of Christ. Some of the more ancient writings will refer to this stone as Topaz but they are in fact referencing the stone Peridot/Olivine.

Ancient texts also talk of using this stone to make cups and that when medicinal liquids were administered to the ill in these vessels that the healing benefits were more effective.

I like the cool green shade of this stone. Good thing since it is my birthstone. I have used it in several jewelry items I have made for myself and for sale. I will attach a couple photos.

Carved Olivine Dragonfly Necklace

Tiered Olivine Earrings

Michal by Jill Eillen Smith. This book is a biblical historical about Michal. She was king Sauls daughter and king Davids first wife/queen. I read a lot of bibilcal fiction books and really enjoyed this one.

Ransome’s Honor by Kaye Dacus. This is a 1st book in a series and in the Christian historical category. This book is Very similar to Jane Austens Persuasion. There are some added twists and turns but the writing style is similar and the basic underlying story is also similar. If you like Austen you will like this book.

Emilies Voice by Susanne Dunlap. This book is historical fiction work. It is set in France at the time of King Louis XIV. The story is centered on a young girl with a great talent in singing. There are plots and twists and turns during the course of the book and her young life.

Fatal Majesty by Reay Tannahill. This is a historical fiction work that is set during the life of Mary queen of Scots. It starts at her return to Scotland to rule after the passing of her husband. It goes through the ups and downs and wild roller coaster that was her life during her rule/and later her long imprisionment in England under Elizabeth.

The ETSY site is at www.etsy.com There you can shop by category, geographical locations, colors and more. ALL that are participating in the sale have tagged items in the sale with Christmas in July or CIJ so a search using these tags will pull up all on sale too.

Please stop by my shop as well. It is newer and would of course love some business but also love some feedback on the items to help me make the store even better.
My shop is GottaspoilemGems

I am also running a sale on my EBAY store for the rest of the month. There are marked down formals and jewelry items here.
MY EBAY shop

Today I picked Hematite and Mother of Pearl. They are 2 of my favorites to work with.

HEMATITE
Hematite is a wonderful stone to use in jewelry making. When tumbled/polished it has a lusterous shine. The color is a charcoal gray/gunmetal Black but shiny. This stone has some weight to it. It is cold to the touch and typically will remain cold or at least cool the entire time being worn.
Hematite is most commonly found in the UK and in Morocco. It is not a rare stone and is readily available.
The natural form (pre cutting and tumbling) looks like clumped masses that in a way look brain like.
This stones said to be astrologically linked to the signs of Aries and Aquarius.
I have read that this stone, in some places, was originally called Bloodstone. This was because of the reddish run off that occured when cutting and polishing it. *There IS a stone called Bloodstone but it is not Hematite.
Healing properties are wide. It is said that this stone can absorb negativity in the wearer. The stone is cold/cool to the touch and if the wearer is overly stressed or otherwise bombarded with negative energies that it will absorb them until the stone is no longer cold/cool. The stone is said to be rechargable by cleansing it in seasalt water. After cleansing, the stone will again be cold/cool to the touch.
Here is a photo of Hematite used in jewelry items. The accents are all Hematite and the Flowers are carved Mother of Pearl.

Hematite and Mother of Pearl necklace

Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl, also called Nacre, is another great source to work with. It is not an actual Stone but I will be lumping it in with the stones in this post.
Mother of Pearl is made from the interior of Mollusk shells. Pearls are made out of the properties of Nacre or Mother of Pearl. Presently the main source of Mother of Pearl is Pearl Oysters and Freshwater Pearl Mussels.
Mother of Pearl is wonderful in its natural state. Once cut and formed into beads, in its natural state it is a creamy white with occlusions that are a shiny lustrous champagne/beige color. Another reason it is great to use in jewelry making is that is can easily be dyed. Once dyed it still will retain its occlusions. This will make a strand of dyed beads nearly all at least a tad different.
Below is a photo of a grouping of Mother of Pearl carved into a Hibiscus flower shape. They are all dyed different colors to show some of the possible variety.

Group of Dyed Mother of Pearl Flower Pendants