C is for calm reconciliation…

C is also for Chrysocolla; my most recent love. I adore it for its marvellous and intricate patterns in all shades of blue and green. Found close to large copper deposits, it is intermingled with a combination of some or all of these: turquoise, malachite, azurite, jasper and quartz, and it is this combination of minerals that gives each stone its fascinating and unique patterns. It’s not expensive either; you can go large on these without breaking the bank. I have just listed, for the first time, 8mm and 10mm cabochons, at $3.50 and $5.50 per stone respectively. I’ll stock larger and different shapes too, if there is a demand. If you want to know what it’s good for, it’s supposed to be a stone of reconciliation and reassurance, and has been known as the ‘wise stone’, as those who wore it were believed to be good at the kind of win-win negotiation we’re all supposed to strive, coming up with clever compromises and solutions. I could do with a bit of that. To shop 8mm chrysocolla cabochons, click here; to shop 10mm, click here.

It’s the kind of stone that looks great with silver, and I often see it in quite chunky settings. But below I’ve found a collection of pieces  whose designers have let their imaginations run riot, from the delicate, branch-like construction of Lucie Veilleux’s sterling silver bracelet (bottom left) to the fantastical blooming of Amy Buettner’s Chrysocolla, sterling silver and 18k gold centerpiece (top left) to the openwork on ZYGO Jewelry’s sterling silver ring, that lightens the entire appearance.

1. Amy Buettner: Ray Mine Gem Silica Chrysocolla Centerpiece, $1200
2. ZYGO Jewelry: Chrysocolla Palladium Plated Sterling Silver Ring, $184.65
3. Jenny Reeves: Cuff with Chrysocolla, $2150
4. Sennah47: Chrysocolla Sterling Silver Ring, $145
5. Lucie Veilleux: Botanical Bangle Flower Buds and Chrysocolla Bangle, $162

joopygems.com

 

Multi-coloured Chrysocolla

It’s not the most well-known gemstone, but Chrysocolla is endlessly fascinating, with its patterning and array of different colours. It’s the copper in it that is responsible for the vivid blue-green colours and it often combines with other copper-bearing minerals which give it its unique mix of colours and characteristic mottled patterns, such as turquoise, blue azurite and malachite. Just listed I have these gloss finish 7-8mm rondelle beads, at $20 per strand. These are B grade, and I think that the range of colours, textures and patterns on these stones are just amazing.Joopy Gems Chrysocolla rondelle beads, matte finish, 7-8mm I also have these in a matte finish, same size, which are equally multi-coloured, but with an amazing soft and silky finish (see left). These are also $20 per strand. Joopy Gems Chrysocolla rondelle beads, AB grade, 7-8mm, matte finishAnd finally, some AB grade beads, which are much more uniform in terms of colour leaning firmly towards the blue-green end of the spectrum, again same size. These are also matte finish, and these are $37 per strand. I can see these looking great with some chunky silver accents – let your creativity go wild! Beads are a  relatively new venture for me, and all of the ones I have are funky and wonderful – to check out the full range, click here. To shop check out Chrysocolla beads click here.

www.joopygems.com