August Birthstones - Peridot, Sardonyx, & Carnelian

The modern birthstone for August is Peridot. Peridot is gem-quality forsteritic olivine. Olivine is very abundant mineral, but gem quality peridot is rather rare. Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color: basically an olive green. The intensity and tint of the green however depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow-green through olive green to brownish green. The most valuable is considered a dark-olive green color. Peridot leads you to discover your higher self through perseverance and determination!


The traditional birthstones for August are Sardonyx & Carnelian.

Sard is a brownish mineral, and when it forms together with the straight white bands of onyx, the resulting stone is called Sardonyx. Sardonyx is a banded variety of chalcedony which is cryptocrystalline quartz. Sardonyx can be black with white bands or orange-red with white bands. It is said to increase courage and eloquence.

Carnelian Agate is also a variety of the silica mineral chalcedony colored by impurities of iron oxide. The color can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration. The word carnelian is derived from the Latin word caro, carnis meaning flesh, in reference to the flesh color sometimes exhibited. Carnelian is said to assist in stimulating creativity. It seems to have a clearing effect, dispelling negative energies as it replaces them with positive ones.

Evening on the Beach

With summer comes vacations, especially beach vacations! These two colors: Wet Sand Tan & Ocean Blue-Green Aqua remind me of evening walks on the beach! The ocean lapping at the wet sand! So peaceful & relaxing :)

After a recent trip to the beach with my family, I wanted to create this bracelet to remind myself of the serenity of evening strolls in the wet sand next to the roaring ocean. I used Pyrite coin beads (#9104), rough Apatite nugget beads (#9882) and sterling silver findings for this piece.

Up to 50% off Stokes Hued Beads

This color category includes Champagne Diamonds, Pyrite, Fossilized Coral, Dalmation Stone and More!

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Up to 50% off Goodwin Hued Beads

This color category includes Blue Diamonds, Apatite, Kambaba Jasper and more!





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No promo code needed Website purchases only, eBay items excluded Limited to stock on hand Sale begins July 17 and ends July 21 at 11:59PM Eastern (GMT-4:00)

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What is Jade?

Jadeite vs. Nephrite Jade

Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral with a hardness of 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale depending on the composition. Jadeite is formed when high-pressure is applied to Albite.

Jadeite's color commonly ranges from white through pale apple green to deep jade green but can also be blue-green, pink, lavender, and a multitude of other rare colors. Color is largely affected by the presence of trace elements such as chromium and iron. Its translucence can be anywhere from entirely solid through opaque to almost clear. Variations in color and translucence are often found even within a single specimen. Typically, the most highly valued colors of jadeite are the most intensely green, translucent varieties, though traditionally white has been considered the most valuable of the jades by the Chinese, known for their carefully crafted jade pieces.

Currently, the best known sources of gem quality jadeite are California, Myanmar, New Zealand and more recently Guatemala; other localities of jadeite include Kazakhstan, Russia, British Columbia, Alaska, and Turkestan.

Nephrite is a variety of the calcium and magnesium-rich amphibole mineral actinolite with a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale.

Nephrite can be found in a translucent white to very light yellow form which is known in China as mutton fat jade, in an opaque white to very light brown or gray which is known as chicken bone jade, as well as in a variety of green colors.

Nephrite is found in Canada, China, Alaska & New Zealand.

Nephrite jade in New Zealand is known as "pounamu" in the Māori language, and is highly valued, playing an important role in Māori culture. Jade jewelery in Māori designs is widely popular with locals of all races, and with tourists – although much of the jade itself is now imported from British Columbia and elsewhere.

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Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!

This Fourth was a great relaxing holiday :) We spent time together as a family & had great food (yummy roasted corn on the cob)! Then when dusk settled, we got down to business :) A few fireworks to light up the sky & remember "the bombs bursting in air."

The images this year reminded me of palm trees & jellyfish ... I am looking forward to spending some time designing jewelry to reflect these ideas ... Have a great week!

Independence Day Sale!

35 to 50% off all Red, White & Blue Beads!
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*Sale begins July 4th and ends July 7th at 11:59PM Eastern.