Tucson gem shows: intense, overwhelming, AND the most wonderful time of the year! It takes awhile for me to come down off the high, and actually make stuff. Deciding what to start with is just too much. I am fortunate to have a batch of custom orders to get to first; some of which will incorporate my new goodies. Here’s a peek at some new rocks:
Groovy Garnets
From top: Pyrope crystal strand, halved and polished, rough dematoid garnet beads, faceted pyrope garnet beads, tsavorite garnet strand and rose cut rhodolite garnets.
Special mention regarding the pyrope crystal strand above: These are from Karadorum (a mountainous region in Pakistan) that one of the most interesting gem dealers I know brought to Tucson. Kia is an amazing woman, who travels seriously dangerous and exotic locales for rocks. This is where she went for these garnets:
Karakorum Pakistan
This woman is brave (possibly insane) and beyond fascinating.
Orange You Glad Garnets
Variety of orange garnets (going clockwise from left): “Surface” cut hessonite garnets, faceted Mandarin garnets (spessaritite garnets from Namibia), spessartite garnet cabochon and faceted strands.
Kyanite is a very interesting stone that I’ve seen in blue and green. This year I bought some blue rough stuff as well as faceted briolettes and gorgeous cabochons.
Blue Kyanite: Strand of Rough Beads, Oval Cabochons & Briolettes
Imperial topaz, now one of my all time favorites!
Imperial Topaz
From top: strand of rough crystals, a pair of gorgeous faceted rectangles, a selection of rose cuts, and two strands of briolettes.
Anyone who knows me, knows I have a deep love for tourmalines. Who can blame me for going just a little nuts – check out some of my coups!
Selection of Tourmalines
From top, then left to right: 2 strands of watermelon slices, strand of rough pink, pink rose cuts, watermelon slices, a pair of green tourmaline cabochons and a parcel of rose cut blue “indicolite” rounds.
Fabulous Strand of Raw Green Tourmaline Slices
The creme de la creme: A batch of watermelon tourmalines (slices and rose cuts):
Batch of Watermelon Tourmaline Slices & Rose Cuts
This year I got to meet one of my “online” clients. An obsessive watermelon tourmaline collector, so we got along just fine (especially after she sent me a text that said this: “Hi Lydia, I felt like I was meeting a rockstar yesterday…”). It’s always cool to meet the people that love your stuff. Thank you Susan!
See a rock you gotta have? Want something made special, just for you? Send me a note here: lydia@ledajewelco.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Yes, Susan is right. You rock, Lydia. I know you’ll make gorgeous pieces with these fabulous gems.
You are absolutely a rock star, Lydia! I can’t wait to see what you do with some of these beauties. The watermelon tourmalines are utterly mouthwatering, but everything you create always looks good enough to eat!
Well now! Thank you Mary & Kate! Mary: it is especially rewarding coming from the manager of an up and coming band! Can I promote it here? Let’s just say they’re “Acidic”. 🙂
http://acidicband.com/