Labradorite, I love the glow!

Labradorite can produce a colorful play of light across cleavage planes and in sliced sections called labradorescence. The usually intense colors range from the typical blues and violets through greens, yellows and oranges. Some rare specimens display all these colors simultaneously. (scientific explanation below picture for those not bored to tears by this first paragraph).

With jewelry, it's all about color and flash. This stone has it all. Below are some pieces I made recently. I've included some Blue Topaz accent stones in some of the pieces. I love this combination.
More Views:
A  http://www.etsy.com/listing/86698891/labradorite-and-sterling-silver-ring
B  http://www.etsy.com/listing/86698724/labradorite-and-sterling-silver-ring
D  http://www.etsy.com/listing/86698398/labradorite-and-sterling-silver-pendant
E  http://www.etsy.com/listing/86698724/labradorite-and-sterling-silver-ring
C and F are sold

The color display is from lamellar intergrowths inside the crystal. These intergrowths result from compatible chemistries at high temperatures becoming incompatible at lower temperatures and thus a separating and layering of these two phases. The resulting color effect is caused by a ray of light entering a layer and being refracted back and forth by deeper layers. This refracted ray is slowed by the extra travel through the layers and mixes with other rays to produce a light ray coming out that has a different wavelength than when it went in.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

My Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry?ref=pr_shop
My Jewelry: http://www.lunarskies.com
My Sculpture: http://www.lunarskies.com/pages1/fineart.html
My Cabochons: http://www.gemalchemy.com
Creating The Hive Artisans Group: http://www.creatingthehive.com

WIP Peacock Pendant, a Bracelet & Facebook Fan Page

I've got a couple of projects in the works. Below is a bracelet I'm making for a custom order. The metal work is finished, I'll be setting the Botswana Agate stones after I check with the customer regarding fit.

I'm also making a Peacock Pendant. This piece will have a Labradorite stone for the body and faceted Peridot and Blue Topaz accent stones. Pictured below is stage one.

 

Pictured below is stage 2

And finally, I've started a Facebook Fan page. I've had a Facebook profile for some time, but I must confess I've haven't been very active with Facebook. I would appreciate any advice I can get about how to build and promote my Facebook Fan page. I suppose I should be up on this, but I'm usually creating something or networking on Creating The Hive. Facebook's time has come, I think!

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies
My Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry?ref=pr_shop
My Jewelry: http://www.lunarskies.com
My Sculpture: http://www.lunarskies.com/pages1/fineart.html
My Cabochons: http://www.gemalchemy.com
Creating The Hive Artisans Group: http://www.creatingthehive.com

My latest creations, I love simple clean lines

It always takes me longer to complete a jewelry project than I anticipate. Part of that is photography and listing. Etsy and Artfire constantly remind us to make sure our photography is first rate. They're right of course, more views are availabe on my Etsy and Arfire stores (links at the bottom of this post). Pictured below are a Rainforest Jasper ring, Sonoran Sunset pendant and Azurite Malachite pendant.

 

Pictured below are Lapis Lazui pendant and earrings and Citron Chrysoprase earrings

 

Pictured below are Petoskey Stone and Black Onyx pieces

 

And finally Labradorite and rare Laguna Agate earrings created for a special order (these last two items are not listed in my stores)

 

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies
My Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry?ref=pr_shop
My Jewelry: http://www.lunarskies.com
My Sculpture: http://www.lunarskies.com/pages1/fineart.html
My Cabochons: http://www.gemalchemy.comCreating The Hive Artisans Group: http://www.creatingthehive.com