Saturday, February 22, 2014

Gem of the Week: Freshwater Pearls

Pearls are organic gemstones. Spherical pearls are the most rare and come closest to perfect roundness. Pearls aid in physical healing, creativity and anger management. Color: Pink, Silver, Cream, Golden, Green, Blue and Black. Can be color enhanced!


   

Freshwater Pearls have been important since medieval Europe, so much so that it drove a species of fresh water mussel to endangerment. Freshwater Pearls are almost exclusively produced in China thought there are a few very minor producers in Japan and the United States. 
Freshwater Pearls are grafted by slicing a bit of tissue from the mantle of the freshwater mussel. This tissue is then inserted into the upper valve of the mussel and then left to become a pearl. There are various techniques for creating different shapes of pearl but it's is never certain exactly how they will come out as Freshwater Pearls are organic. The Pearls are then polished and are ready to be sold.   

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Gem of the Week: Opalite

Opalite Jasper is a calming gemstone that helps one to sleep. Opalite helps resolve underlying issues to your attention so you can take steps to resolve them. Color: Transparent Bluish White

  

Opalite is a synthetic gemstone. It is made from glass that has been treated to dissipate light in a special way so that different light brings out different colors in the stone.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Gem of the Week: Onyx

Onyx is part of the chalcedony family. Onyx can be used to stabilize and heal your root chakra, to increase grounding and productiveness. Onyx offers energetic support to help your chakras become more adaptable, this in turn enables you to be more productive. Color: Blue, Black, Blue Lace, Moss, Pink, Red, Snakeskin

  

The word Onyx comes from the Greek word for fingernail or claw because when in a lighter, flesh tone, the stone is said to resemble a fingernail. Black Onyx is most famous as a stone, but the most common Onyx is banded Onyx which has bands of different color through it.
Often Calcite is labeled as Onyx and sold as it is softer and more prevalent.
Humanity has been fabricating man-made Onyx since Ancient Rome. They used a process of soaking agates in sugar recipes and adding sulfur or hydrochloric acid. This treatment is still used today!
Onyx has been used since the Ancient Greeks of Crete and Ancient Egypt for decorative purposes. From architecture to jewelry to carvings, Onyx has been used to beautify the rich.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Gem of the Week: Snowflake Obsidian

Obsidian gemstones are natural glass and are the result of lava that cooled quickly. Obsidian helps to promote grounding and release tension and energy blockages. Color: Black to Smoky, Green, Mahogany, Rainbow, Snowflake

  

As stated above, Obsidian is made my lava flows that cooled very rapidly. This cooling process leaves the stone very brittle. When broken, it usually has very sharp edges. For this reason, it was often used in tools and weapons. Currently there are some tests being done with obsidian surgical scalpel blades.

Obsidian has been used since the stone age for tools, weapons, and pottery. In ancient Turkey and Greece, Obsidian was used for weaponry, mirrors, and decorations as well as in ritual circumcision.

In the Americas, Obsidian was highly valued and has been found traded over 200 miles away from their original mine. It gives us interesting markers for the economy of ancient cultures.

Today, Obsidian can be sharpened to a width of 3 nanometers thick at the edge of the blade and when looked at under a microscope, is still smooth and even, something that other knife edges cannot come close to. These blades are being tested to become medical scalpels as the cuts they make have fewer inflammatory cell reactions.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Gem of the Week: Mother of Pearl

Mother of Pearl is an organic gemstone. Mother of Pearls decor is made from the glossy pearly inside of pearl oyster shell. Mother of pearl offers protection and aids in relaxing and soothing the mind and body. Color: Pearly

  

Mother of Pearl or Nacre, as it's also known, comes from the inside of mollusk shells. It also makes up the outer layer of pearls. Mother of Pearl was used extensively for buttons in the 1900's as well as other jewelry. The trade of Mother of Pearl is regulated by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Mother of Pearl has been used in architecture, fashion, and musical instruments. It's unique structure allows it to be used in mosaic. Mother of Pearl can also be tinted almost any artificial color.
Mother of Pearl has been used for centuries as a decorative accent on jewelry, boxes, furniture, weapons, and clothes.
Musical instruments from all families often have Mother of Pearl inlays in fret boards, valves, keys, and bows among other things to beautify the instrument.
Mother of Pearl is also used to make Caviar spoons because metal can easily ruin the taste of Caviar.

Spring Break Art Camp!

Spring Break is just a few weeks away, although it might not feel like it, and DreamScapes has the perfect plan for some fun over the break! We hold morning and afternoon Art Camps for the week going from 9am-Noon and then Noon to 3 with lunch at noon.  

Each day has a unique art project for the kids. We'll be doing collage, painting, multi-media, watercolor, splatter, and 3D art. While we make these fun projects we teach the kids about art theory and history as well as co-operation and communication skills. 

The camps have an attendance of between 4-10 kids so each attendee gets one-on-one time with our instructors as well as an opportunity to make new friends! The camps are a great way to get your child's creativity active. 

Interested in Signing Up? Questions? Visit our website




Monday, February 3, 2014

Gem of the Week: Moonstone

Moonstones are usually polished as a cabochon, and often carved with a moon face. Moonstones are used to sooth stress and anxiety. Moonstone gemstones offer healing qualities for women, who experience hormone imbalance. The moonstone also offers healing properties for the lymph nodes of the body. Color: White, Pink, Yellow

  
Moonstone is named after is unique diffraction that gives the stone its celestial sheen. The Ancient Romans believed that Moonstone was solidified rays of moonlight, which made it extremely valuable. The stone has been connected to many different moon deities over the ancient world. Moonstone had a resurgence during the Art Nouveau period, being used in French artist, Rene Lalique's jewelry at the time. 
Moonstone is the state stone for Florida. 

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Valentines Day



As Valentines Day draws nearer, stop by to find the perfect gift for your sweetheart! Our handmade, completely original jewelry is perfect for a meaningful gift for that special someone. We have gifts for every relationship in your life. 
This season's special deal is a drusy quartz crystal necklace. Drusy quartz is a specialty quarts that has a layer of fine crystal over the surface of the gem.  

The gem comes in many colors from purple to gold to blue to white. We have a special deal on our drusy quarts necklaces with silver plated settings. The original price for this rare gem is $80 but for your Valentines day gift we've cut that price in half to just $40! So come on by and find a beautiful piece for that special person in your life!