{"title":"Holiday Collection - Gemstone Bead Bracelets and Earrings","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"white-selenite-and-tangerine-chalcedony-bracelet-with-raw-brass-and-stainless-steel-components-the-functioning-brass-locket-is-included","title":"White selenite and tangerine chalcedony bracelet with raw brass and stainless steel components. The functioning brass locket is included!","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTICE: These are GENUINE gemstones! In addition to using genuine gemstones, I also use durable components that will outlast every elastic bracelet sold on the market. Elastic bracelets will wear out quickly and break, whereas my bracelets will give you years of wear!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere I offer an eye-catching bracelet made with 10mm white selenite beads paired with alternating 10mm tangerine chalcedony beads. Raw brass floral bead caps with golden stainless steel station beads and S-hook closure enhance this lovely gemstone combination and lend it a Persian flair! A pretty and functional heart-shaped locket in raw brass dangles delightfully from a golden stainless steel bail, completing this ephemeral design and elevating it to boutique status (but without the boutique price!)! If you prefer a lobster clasp over the S-hook closure, message me and I’ll swap it out for you free of charge!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e“If it’s not good enough for me, it’s not good enough for my customers. If I won’t wear it myself, I don’t sell it in my shop.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e -Heather Constable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhy I Love It: Selenite is one of those magical minerals that is completely mesmerizing to play with, appearing to move and flow in the light. This is due to selenite’s crystal structure, which formed in prismatic or tubular parallel “fibers” as ancient salt lakes evaporated. As light passes through these parallel crystals a flowing, glowing  optical effect is produced. Selenite can also produce a true “cat’s eye” effect, so that when you hold a top-quality selenite bead between your thumb and forefinger and allow the light to pass unhindered through it, a slit resembling a cat’s pupil appears in its center! When selenite beads are strung end-to-end and manipulated in the light, the light appears to flow along the length of the strand and move from bead to bead!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough mesmerizing and beautiful, selenite is a very soft mineral that should be treated with care and stored in a padded box or soft pouch when not on display or being worn (as in the case of this bracelet). Its softness, however, makes it a favorite of stone carvers, as it is easily transformed into beautiful and glowing ornamental objects. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelenite reminds me that beauty is enduring but can likewise be precariously fragile, so we must each do our part to care for this amazing planet and all its wonders if we desire to pass it on to future generations. Recycle, reuse, repurpose, refurbish, reduce - let selenite REmind us that the small contributions we make today will pay big dividends to our children and grandchildren!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInformation About This Gemstone: Selenite formed thousands of years ago as salt water lakes and seas evaporated, and today it is mined in various countries including the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Poland. It is naturally translucent to transparent, but its soft crystals readily absorb pigments so that you will often find selenite dyed in a range of colors! When selenite is shaped and polished, light  passes through its crystals and makes it appear to glow. This mineral’s very name, in fact, is derived from the ancient Greek word for moon, “selene”, aptly named due to its characteristic glowing properties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelenite is transparent gypsum and is a very soft mineral. Selenite ranks at 2 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, which means that things made of selenite can be damaged by harder materials. It is nonetheless a sought after mineral due to its alluring beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFun facts: Taken straight from the ground in its raw crystalline state, selenite can be scratched with a mere fingernail! Don’t be afraid to wear it in jewelry or to display a selenite carving, but do treat it gently! Selenite derives its name from the Greek word “selene”, meaning “moon”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hand Knotted Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"5.5”","offer_id":53981507944632,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6”","offer_id":53981507977400,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.5”","offer_id":53981508010168,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7”","offer_id":53981508042936,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7.5”","offer_id":53981508075704,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/1527\/4424\/files\/64F2C495-8FED-4445-891B-75877186B5E2.jpg?v=1787673901"},{"product_id":"aquamarine-bracelet-the-silent-night-faceted-aquamarine-hand-knotted-bracelet-with-metallic-string-and-your-choice-of-yellow-gold-plated-or-silvery-stainless-steel-bracelet-hardware","title":"Aquamarine bracelet and\/or earrings. The “Silent Night” faceted aquamarine hand knotted bracelet with METALLIC string and your choice of yellow gold plated or silvery stainless steel bracelet hardware!","description":"\u003cp\u003eNOTICE: These are GENUINE gemstones! In addition to using genuine gemstones, I also use durable components that will last years longer than every elastic bracelet sold on Etsy, as elastic bracelets wear out quickly and break. So don’t think my lower prices mean lower quality - quite the opposite! They simply mean I don’t overvalue what I make, and that I offer my pieces at fair prices so that you can build up a genuine gemstone jewelry collection for yourself or for those you love!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of my new Holiday Collection I offer the “Silent Night” hand-knotted bracelet made with shimmering 10mm faceted aquamarine beads and your choice of gold plated or silvery stainless steel hardware and your choice of either metallic blue or silver thread! This bracelet reminds me of Michigan winters, on still cold nights when the snow sparkles like tiny silvery diamonds and reflects the festive blue Christmas lights strung along windows and on front yard bushes! These are the winters of my childhood and my inspiration for the Silent Night bracelet!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso available are the coordinating earrings pictured in this listing that you can select from the items that populate when you add this bracelet to your cart. (Or you can just order the earrings!)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e“If it’s not good enough for me, then it’s not good enough for my customers. If I wouldn’t wear it, it doesn’t belong in my shop.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e - Heather Constable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hand Knotted Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"5.5”","offer_id":53991536459960,"sku":null,"price":43.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6”","offer_id":53991536492728,"sku":null,"price":44.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.5”","offer_id":53991536525496,"sku":null,"price":44.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7”","offer_id":53991536558264,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7.5”","offer_id":53991536591032,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Golden stainless steel hardware","offer_id":53991536623800,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silvery stainless steel hardware","offer_id":53991536656568,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Matching earrings","offer_id":53991536689336,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Matching earrings 2 aqua beads","offer_id":53991613300920,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/1527\/4424\/files\/D69D8798-0989-4106-8CEA-E5A1E6BBDF9B.jpg?v=1787782907"},{"product_id":"quartzite-bracelet-the-butternut-squash-bracelet-joins-the-holiday-collection-lineup-it-s-perfect-for-autumn-and-thanksgiving","title":"Quartzite bracelet. The “Butternut Squash” bracelet joins the Holiday Collection lineup! It’s perfect for autumn and Thanksgiving!","description":"\u003cp\u003eNOTE: The earrings pictured are to demonstrate how a matched set will look but are NOT included with this bracelet. Your can purchase them as a separate item in this listing if you like the look of the set!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNOTICE: These are GENUINE gemstones! In addition to using genuine gemstones, I also use durable components that will last years longer than every elastic bracelet sold on Etsy, as elastic bracelets wear out quickly and break. So don’t think my lower prices mean lower quality - quite the opposite! They simply mean I don’t overvalue what I make, and that I offer my pieces at fair prices so that you can build up a genuine gemstone jewelry collection for yourself or for those you love!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoining my Holiday Collection lineup, the “Butternut Squash” bracelet is perfect for autumn and all the parties of the holiday season! Featuring orange and yellow earthy tones and creams, the colors speak “autumn” and brings to mind fall cornucopia squash arrangements!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 10mm quartzites range in color from vibrant orange to yellow to off-white and remind me of the changing colors of the fall season! It brings to mind scarecrows seated on porches and surrounded by all manner of garden squashes, corn husk arrangements and colorful fall mums in flower pots! I believe that jewelry should not only be seen but felt also, and I’m full of autumn memories and feelings every time I look at this bracelet!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs always, these bracelets are strung on a double strand of woven silk and polyester Chinese knotting string, so these bracelets are strong! And as always, all of the metal components are stainless steel and you have your choice of golden or silvery bracelet hardware!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso available are the coordinating earrings pictured in this listing that you can select from the items that populate when you add this bracelet to your cart. (Or you can just order the earrings!)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e“If it’s not good enough for me, then it’s not good enough for my customers. If I wouldn’t wear it, it doesn’t belong in my shop.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e - Heather Constable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hand Knotted Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"5.5”","offer_id":54036942651576,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6”","offer_id":54036942684344,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.5”","offer_id":54036942717112,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7”","offer_id":54036942749880,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7.5”","offer_id":54036942782648,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8”","offer_id":54036942815416,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silvery stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54036942848184,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Gold plated stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54036942880952,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Matching earrings","offer_id":54039717478584,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/1527\/4424\/files\/3F392BA2-7252-4C51-890C-FA53802600C7.jpg?v=1788449962"},{"product_id":"silky-yellow-quartz-bracelet-chatoyant-10mm-buttercream-quartzite-aka-silk-jade-hand-knotted-bracelet-with-metallic-string","title":"Silky yellow quartz bracelet. Chatoyant 10mm buttercream quartzite (AKA silk jade) hand-knotted bracelet with METALLIC string!","description":"\u003cp\u003eNOTE: The earrings pictured are to demonstrate how a matched set will look but are NOT included with this bracelet. Your can purchase them as a separate item in this listing if you like the look of the set!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNOTICE: These are GENUINE gemstones! In addition to using genuine gemstones, I also use durable components that will last years longer than every elastic bracelet sold on Etsy, as elastic bracelets wear out quickly and break. So don’t think my lower prices mean lower quality - quite the opposite! They simply mean I don’t overvalue what I make, and that I offer my pieces at fair prices so that you can build up a genuine gemstone jewelry collection for yourself or for those you love!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the first piece of my new Holiday Collection I offer this beautiful, golden-hued HIGHLY chatoyant quartzite bracelet! Also called “buttercream quartz”, “butter quartz” and “golden silk jade” (although not TRUE jade), this gemstone is a beautiful golden-yellow color and displays glowing bands and waves of moving light called “chatoyance”. Many stones exhibit chatoyance, which is due to light reflecting off feldspar inclusions within a given gemstone (other examples of chatoyant gemstones are tiger’s eye and selenite). Feldspars are the building blocks of the rock creation process and are the most abundant minerals on earth, ranging broadly in color and clarity. In the case of this gemstone, the feldspars within the quartzite are arranged in parallel “tubes”, which reflect light in such a way that it appears to flow across the surface of the stones! Simply gorgeous! Each of these beads have strong but varying degrees of chatoyance, as well as varying degrees of crystallization that add to this gemstone’s overall aesthetic appeal!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI strung these 10mm beads on FOUR strands of metallic string so that each hand-tied knot is fat and noticeable, creating an overall design that is eye-catching, festive and strong! I offer this bracelet with golden metallic string and or with multicolored string with golden OR silvery stainless steel!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso available are the coordinating earrings pictured in this listing that you can select from the items that populate when you add this bracelet to your cart. (Or you can just order the earrings!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e“If it’s not good enough for me, then it’s not good enough for my customers. If I wouldn’t wear it, it doesn’t belong in my shop.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e - Heather Constable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hand Knotted Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"5.5”","offer_id":54039064248504,"sku":null,"price":43.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6”","offer_id":54039064281272,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.5”","offer_id":54039064314040,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7”","offer_id":54039064346808,"sku":null,"price":47.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7.5”","offer_id":54039064379576,"sku":null,"price":47.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8”","offer_id":54039064412344,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Gold plated stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54039064477880,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silvery stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54039064445112,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Golden metallic string","offer_id":54039106683064,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Multicolored metallic string","offer_id":54039106715832,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1-quartzite earrings","offer_id":54039088169144,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2–quartzite earrings","offer_id":54039064510648,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/1527\/4424\/files\/BF858D9E-BF2A-4BB7-A7FC-EF069B89B43B.jpg?v=1788478145"},{"product_id":"silver-sheen-obsidian-and-clear-quartz-pair-the-silver-bells-bracelet-with-your-little-black-party-dress-and-be-the-belle-of-the-ball","title":"Silver sheen obsidian and clear quartz bracelet and earrings. Pair the “Silver Bells” bracelet and\/or earrings with your little black party dress and be the Belle of the Ball!","description":"\u003cp\u003eNOTE: The earrings pictured are to demonstrate how a matched set will look but are NOT included with this bracelet. Your can purchase them as a separate item in this listing if you like the look of the set!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNOTICE: These are GENUINE gemstones! In addition to using genuine gemstones, I also use durable components that will last years longer than every elastic bracelet sold on Etsy, as elastic bracelets wear out quickly and break. So don’t think my lower prices mean lower quality - quite the opposite! They simply mean I don’t overvalue what I make, and that I offer my pieces at fair prices so that you can build up a genuine gemstone jewelry collection for yourself or for those you love!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoining my 2024 Holiday Collection lineup, the “Silver Bells” bracelet features high-grade 10mm silver sheen obsidian beads and fully transparent high-grade 6mm clear quartz beads! I specifically strung these valuable gemstones on a double strand of silver woven silk and polyester Chinese knotting string, so that it shimmers from within and appears to be magnified by the clear quartz beads! I centered one silver obsidian between two quartzes and stainless steel station beads, creating a design that invites the eye to admire the natural beauty of both gemstones. The resulting bracelet is stunning, classy and elegant and can easily be paired with almost any outfit, not only during the holidays but in every month of the year! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe coordinating earrings glam up the look with 10mm and 6mm silver sheen obsidians, and the 6mm center clear quartzes are capped on both ends with rounded star-shaped bead caps. The resulting earrings create a striking yin-and-yang design that is just as eye-catching and classy as the bracelet! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs always, every metal component I used in these beautiful pieces is crafted from durable, tarnish-resistant and hypoallergenic stainless steel, giving you a 100% natural gemstone (no treatments or enhancements so they’re just as nature made them!) bracelet and earrings set that you will be able to wear and enjoy for years to come! With  this set you also get my worry-free lifetime guarantee, so should you ever require a service such as resizing or clasp replacement I will take care of it free of charge!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e“If it’s not good enough for me, then it’s not good enough for my customers. If I wouldn’t wear it, it doesn’t belong in my shop.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e - Heather Constable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy I Love It:\u003c\/span\u003e The “origin story” of silver sheen obsidian is what first drew me to it! Rather than a rock, silver obsidian is a type of volcanic glass but is nevertheless considered a gemSTONE that is frequently used in jewelry making (as are other types of obsidian like gold sheen, rainbow and black obsidian)! These obsidians display a glowing or shimmering characteristic that is attributable to gas bubbles trapped within the gemstones. Obsidian is formed when lava cools so quickly that crystals don’t have an opportunity to form, and the lava instead forms into shiny glasslike layers with tiny bubbles of volcanic gas squashed in almost flat lines between the layers. When light enters the stone it is stopped by and reflected off the trapped gas bubbles, giving this gemstone its silvery glow -  an optical property that mineralogists define as “aventurescence” or “chatoyance”. I am addicted to gemstones that produce an “essence” - labradorescence (labradorite), adularescence (moonstone), phosphorescence (phosphorite AKA blue apatite) and dozens more! But silver sheen obsidian is unique because it doesn’t have a crystalline structure whereas as most other “essence” gemstones do!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI love quartzes in general, but clear quartz is rare because most quartzes pick up other minerals as they form. Clear quartz is an exception, but still hides feldspars within it! Feldspars are the building blocks of the rock creation process and range from clear and translucent to colorful and opaque. “Clearly” (😏), the feldspars in clear quartz are transparent and can’t be seen with the naked eye, but they’re there - like tiny secrets hidden inside this otherwise beautifully transparent gemstone!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInformation About These Gemstones:\u003c\/span\u003e Obsidian is mined all over the world in volcanic geological regions that have the factors necessary to produce quickly-cooled lava layers, and ONLY volcanic regions can produce this shiny gemstone! Obsidian can be found right here in the United States in places like Oregon, Washington State and Hawaii (among others), and Yellowstone National Park contains an entire mountainside of obsidian! Globally, obsidian is widely occuring and can be found in places including Iceland, Italy, Argentina and Mexico.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObsidian is a hard, heavy gemstone that ranks at 5.5 out of 10 on the Mohs Mineral Hardness Scale, which is the approximate hardness of a glass dinner plate. It is not nearly as hard as (and can be scratched by) a diamond (ranked at 10), but is harder than (and can scratch) a copper penny. It is a brittle stone but is nonetheless durable and suitable for daily wear as long as you avoid impacts with harder objects. It cleaves, or breaks, in sheets with very hard, sharp edges. Due to its hardness and sharpness, obsidian has been used for centuries in everything from ancient Mesoamerican weapons (like spears, arrow tips and swords) to piercing tools to animal-skinning blades and meat cutters. Modern  medicine has even experimented with surgical scalpels made from obsidian!         \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuartz is the most abundant mineral on earth and is composed of the elements silicon and oxygen (specifically silicon dioxide, represented chemically as SiO2 -  that is, 1 silicon atom and 2 oxygen atoms). The quartz in this bracelet is called  “clear quartz” or “rock crystal” and is optically transparent, making it a more valuable and sought-after gemstone! This is because most quartz specimens, such as rutilated quartz and pink quartz, have other minerals included within them as they form, such as sliver-like inclusions of other minerals called “rutiles” and mineral inclusions like iron that make the quartz appear to be colored (but the quartz itself isn’t colored! It’s only the color of the mineral inclusions that make them appear to be colored stones!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs you can imagine, as the most abundant mineral on earth quartz can be found just about anywhere - in Lake Michigan beach sand, in Malibu Beach sand and even in a handful of dirt from your own front yard! Because of its abundance quartz is mined all over the globe, but finer quality quartzes occur on the Island of Madagascar (where beautiful purplish-pink rose quartz is mined) and in Brazil (which produces the most variety of valuable, high-quality rutilated quartzes). An extremely rare, highly-prized and expensive variety of quartz called “Super Seven” is mined in several locations, including Australia, India and Brazil… and even right here in the USA in Arkansas! Super Seven (also known by its mineral name “cacoxenite amethyst“) is thus named because it’s comprised of seven different mineral crystals - amethyst (the primary mineral in Super Seven), cacoxenite, clear quartz, goethite, lepidocrocite, rutilated quartz and smoky quartz! Super Seven is essentially six mineral crystals encapsulated, or included, in one (amethyst)!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuartz is among the hardest and heartiest minerals and ranks 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, making it harder than a steel nail (6.5) but not as hard as a drill bit used in masonry (8.5). Due to the way light interacts with quartz, it was used to make the first eyeglass lenses around 700 BC in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia! Just as objects viewed through water appear to be magnified, objects viewed through clear quartz seem to be magnified because it bends light. Light is slowed down when it enters quartz and its wavelength is shortened, which causes light to bend when it enters quartz at an angle. The way light interacts with a gemstone is called its “refractive index”. So clear quartz doesn’t truly magnify an object, but appears to do so because of its refractive optical properties! Another  property of clear quartz is that it’s ”birefringent”, or DOUBLY refractive! This means that when ONE ray of light passes through a quartz crystal it is split into TWO rays! This optical property is called birefringence. By comparison, diamond is only singly refractive, so a clear quartz crystal cut and faceted like a round diamond will be twice as sparkly as a round-cut diamond!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFun Facts:\u003c\/span\u003e Obsidian shards were used in prehistory to make weapons such as spears, arrows and even swords (obsidian swords would have been impractical, however, because it’s VERY heavy!)! It was also used for more practical everyday uses such as cutting and piercing tools and even dinnerware (knives)! Because obsidian formed in flat layers it breaks in flat layers, and with its durable sharp edges was a natural choice for cutting tools and weapons prior to the Copper and Bronze Ages, during which mankind learned to shape and\/or smelt metals and form them into every-day items and weapons of war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuartz is not only the most abundant mineral earth, but it’s highly probable that it’s within 10 feet of you at all times! Some well-known and popular gemstones are actually a variety of quartz, including amethyst, citrine, prasiolite and carnelian! Quartz has a wide application of practical daily uses, from timekeeping (in quartz watches and clocks, which rely upon quartz’s stabilizable and “programmable” vibration frequencies to precisely and unerringly measure time!) to filtering fine wines to conducting an electrical current to controlling voltage frequencies in radio transmitters and computers! This is why quartz is one of the most economically important minerals\/gemstones in the world and  likely surrounds you! A strange but fascinating characteristic of some clear quartz is that it’s ”triboluminescent”, meaning that when it’s rubbed together it creates a spark! The spark has no heat signature (which means you can’t see it if you’re wearing night-vision glasses!) and is therefore called “cold light”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hand Knotted Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"5.5”","offer_id":54039583654072,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6”","offer_id":54039583686840,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.5”","offer_id":54039583719608,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7”","offer_id":54039583752376,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7.5”","offer_id":54039583785144,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8”","offer_id":54039583817912,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Gold plated stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54039583883448,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silvery stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54039583850680,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Earrings - golden","offer_id":54039615176888,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Earrings - silvery","offer_id":54039615209656,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/1527\/4424\/files\/9D8F723E-C330-4375-8892-13DCA5947C0A.jpg?v=1788488851"},{"product_id":"the-marshmallows-and-yams-bracelet-joins-the-holiday-collection-lineup-it-s-perfect-for-autumn-and-thanksgiving-and-christmas-dinners","title":"The “Marshmallows and Yams” bracelet joins the Holiday Collection lineup! It’s perfect for autumn and Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners!","description":"\u003cp\u003eNOTE: The earrings pictured are to demonstrate how a matched set will look but are NOT included with this bracelet. Your can purchase them as a separate item in this listing if you like the look of the set!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNOTICE: These are GENUINE gemstones! In addition to using genuine gemstones, I also use durable components that will last years longer than every elastic bracelet sold on Etsy, as elastic bracelets wear out quickly and break. So don’t think my lower prices mean lower quality - quite the opposite! They simply mean I don’t overvalue what I make, and that I offer my pieces at fair prices so that you can build up a genuine gemstone jewelry collection for yourself or for those you love!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoining my Holiday Collection lineup, the “Marshmallows and Yams” bracelet is perfect for autumn and all the dinner parties of the holiday season! Featuring vibrant oranges, earthy browns and mixing with marshmallow white, the colors evoke memories of Grandma’s marshmallow-topped brown sugar yams! I’m excited to share this bracelet with you because it turned out exactly as I imagined it when I ordered these agate and onyx beads!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 10mm stones are called “Desert Eye” agates, which begin as natural orange agates with some matrix left on them as the beads are made (matrix is the rock inside which the agate formed). The matrix is then bleached and “spattered” with brownish-red lacquer to make the spots, or “eyes” on the beads. A fixing agent is then applied so that the spots stay put (meaning you can get these beads wet without worrying that the color will be affected), and as the final step holes are drilled to make the 10mm spheres into beads. Featuring as station beads are 6mm white onyxes!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI don’t typically use gemstones that aren’t 100% natural, but I made an exception with these agates because they’re so visually striking and unusual! As always, all of the metal components are stainless steel and you have your choice of golden or silvery bracelet hardware!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e“If it’s not good enough for me, then it’s not good enough for my customers. If I wouldn’t wear it, it doesn’t belong in my shop.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e - Heather Constable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy I Love It:\u003c\/span\u003e The “origin story” of silver sheen obsidian is what first drew me to it! Rather than a rock, silver obsidian is a type of volcanic glass but is nevertheless considered a gemSTONE that is frequently used in jewelry making (as are other types of obsidian like gold sheen, rainbow and black obsidian)! These obsidians display a glowing or shimmering characteristic that is attributable to gas bubbles trapped within the gemstones. Obsidian is formed when lava cools so quickly that crystals don’t have an opportunity to form, and the lava instead forms into shiny glasslike layers with tiny bubbles of volcanic gas squashed in almost flat lines between the layers. When light enters the stone it is stopped by and reflected off the trapped gas bubbles, giving this gemstone its silvery glow -  an optical property that mineralogists define as “aventurescence” or “chatoyance”. I am addicted to gemstones that produce an “essence” - labradorescence (labradorite), adularescence (moonstone), phosphorescence (phosphorite AKA blue apatite) and dozens more! But silver sheen obsidian is unique because it doesn’t have a crystalline structure whereas as most other “essence” gemstones do!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI love quartzes in general, but clear quartz is rare because most quartzes pick up other minerals as they form. Clear quartz is an exception, but still hides feldspars within it! Feldspars are the building blocks of the rock creation process and range from clear and translucent to colorful and opaque. “Clearly” (😏), the feldspars in clear quartz are transparent and can’t be seen with the naked eye, but they’re there - like tiny secrets hidden inside this otherwise beautifully transparent gemstone!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInformation About These Gemstones:\u003c\/span\u003e Obsidian is mined all over the world in volcanic geological regions that have the factors necessary to produce quickly-cooled lava layers, and ONLY volcanic regions can produce this shiny gemstone! Obsidian can be found right here in the United States in places like Oregon, Washington State and Hawaii (among others), and Yellowstone National Park contains an entire mountainside of obsidian! Globally, obsidian is widely occuring and can be found in places including Iceland, Italy, Argentina and Mexico.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObsidian is a hard, heavy gemstone that ranks at 5.5 out of 10 on the Mohs Mineral Hardness Scale, which is the approximate hardness of a glass dinner plate. It is not nearly as hard as (and can be scratched by) a diamond (ranked at 10), but is harder than (and can scratch) a copper penny. It is a brittle stone but is nonetheless durable and suitable for daily wear as long as you avoid impacts with harder objects. It cleaves, or breaks, in sheets with very hard, sharp edges. Due to its hardness and sharpness, obsidian has been used for centuries in everything from ancient Mesoamerican weapons (like spears, arrow tips and swords) to piercing tools to animal-skinning blades and meat cutters. Modern  medicine has even experimented with surgical scalpels made from obsidian!         \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuartz is the most abundant mineral on earth and is composed of the elements silicon and oxygen (specifically silicon dioxide, represented chemically as SiO2 -  that is, 1 silicon atom and 2 oxygen atoms). The quartz in this bracelet is called  “clear quartz” or “rock crystal” and is optically transparent, making it a more valuable and sought-after gemstone! This is because most quartz specimens, such as rutilated quartz and pink quartz, have other minerals included within them as they form, such as sliver-like inclusions of other minerals called “rutiles” and mineral inclusions like iron that make the quartz appear to be colored (but the quartz itself isn’t colored! It’s only the color of the mineral inclusions that make them appear to be colored stones!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs you can imagine, as the most abundant mineral on earth quartz can be found just about anywhere - in Lake Michigan beach sand, in Malibu Beach sand and even in a handful of dirt from your own front yard! Because of its abundance quartz is mined all over the globe, but finer quality quartzes occur on the Island of Madagascar (where beautiful purplish-pink rose quartz is mined) and in Brazil (which produces the most variety of valuable, high-quality rutilated quartzes). An extremely rare, highly-prized and expensive variety of quartz called “Super Seven” is mined in several locations, including Australia, India and Brazil… and even right here in the USA in Arkansas! Super Seven (also known by its mineral name “cacoxenite amethyst“) is thus named because it’s comprised of seven different mineral crystals - amethyst (the primary mineral in Super Seven), cacoxenite, clear quartz, goethite, lepidocrocite, rutilated quartz and smoky quartz! Super Seven is essentially six mineral crystals encapsulated, or included, in one (amethyst)!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuartz is among the hardest and heartiest minerals and ranks 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, making it harder than a steel nail (6.5) but not as hard as a drill bit used in masonry (8.5). Due to the way light interacts with quartz, it was used to make the first eyeglass lenses around 700 BC in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia! Just as objects viewed through water appear to be magnified, objects viewed through clear quartz seem to be magnified because it bends light. Light is slowed down when it enters quartz and its wavelength is shortened, which causes light to bend when it enters quartz at an angle. The way light interacts with a gemstone is called its “refractive index”. So clear quartz doesn’t truly magnify an object, but appears to do so because of its refractive optical properties! Another  property of clear quartz is that it’s ”birefringent”, or DOUBLY refractive! This means that when ONE ray of light passes through a quartz crystal it is split into TWO rays! This optical property is called birefringence. By comparison, diamond is only singly refractive, so a clear quartz crystal cut and faceted like a round diamond will be twice as sparkly as a round-cut diamond!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFun Facts:\u003c\/span\u003e Obsidian shards were used in prehistory to make weapons such as spears, arrows and even swords (obsidian swords would have been impractical, however, because it’s VERY heavy!)! It was also used for more practical everyday uses such as cutting and piercing tools and even dinnerware (knives)! Because obsidian formed in flat layers it breaks in flat layers, and with its durable sharp edges was a natural choice for cutting tools and weapons prior to the Copper and Bronze Ages, during which mankind learned to shape and\/or smelt metals and form them into every-day items and weapons of war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuartz is not only the most abundant mineral earth, but it’s highly probable that it’s within 10 feet of you at all times! Some well-known and popular gemstones are actually a variety of quartz, including amethyst, citrine, prasiolite and carnelian! Quartz has a wide application of practical daily uses, from timekeeping (in quartz watches and clocks, which rely upon quartz’s stabilizable and “programmable” vibration frequencies to precisely and unerringly measure time!) to filtering fine wines to conducting an electrical current to controlling voltage frequencies in radio transmitters and computers! This is why quartz is one of the most economically important minerals\/gemstones in the world and  likely surrounds you! A strange but fascinating characteristic of some clear quartz is that it’s ”triboluminescent”, meaning that when it’s rubbed together it creates a spark! The spark has no heat signature (which means you can’t see it if you’re wearing night-vision glasses!) and is therefore called “cold light”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hand Knotted Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"5.5”","offer_id":54039769809080,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6”","offer_id":54039769841848,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.5”","offer_id":54039769874616,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7”","offer_id":54039769907384,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7.5”","offer_id":54039769940152,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8”","offer_id":54039769972920,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Gold plated stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54039770005688,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silvery stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54039770038456,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Earrings - golden","offer_id":54039770071224,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Earrings - silvery","offer_id":54039770103992,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Earrings - 2 agates (golden)","offer_id":54041453166776,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Earrings - 2 agates (silvery)","offer_id":54041453199544,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/1527\/4424\/files\/3584EA59-6B15-4074-B7E3-E8B0171DFF45.jpg?v=1788493336"},{"product_id":"the-pumpkin-spice-latte-fire-agate-bracelet-joins-the-holiday-collection-lineup-it-s-perfect-for-autumn-halloween-and-thanksgiving","title":"The “Pumpkin Spice Latte” fire agate bracelet joins the Holiday Collection lineup! It’s perfect for autumn, Halloween AND Thanksgiving!","description":"\u003cp\u003eNOTE: The earrings pictured are to demonstrate how a matched set will look but are NOT included with this bracelet. Your can purchase them as a separate item in this listing if you like the look of the set! Also, the video is of a different bracelet, but it gives you an idea of how the “Desert Eye” agates look irl (in real life)! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNOTICE: These are GENUINE gemstones! In addition to using genuine gemstones, I also use durable components that will last years longer than every elastic bracelet sold on Etsy, as elastic bracelets wear out quickly and break. So don’t think my lower prices mean lower quality - quite the opposite! They simply mean I don’t overvalue what I make, and that I offer my pieces at fair prices so that you can build up a genuine gemstone jewelry collection for yourself or for those you love!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoining my Holiday Collection lineup, the “Pumpkin Spice Latte” bracelet is perfect for autumn and the first parties of the holiday season! Featuring vibrant oranges, earthy browns and mixing with a little cream, the colors stir up memories of crisp fall mornings, pumpkin carving and costume contests, and Grandma’s pumpkin pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream! I’m excited to share this bracelet with you because it turned out exactly as I imagined it when I ordered the gemstone beads, and I’ll be keeping one for myself!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 10mm stones are called “Desert Eye” agates, which begin as natural orange agates with some matrix left on them as the beads are made (matrix is the rock inside which the agate formed). The matrix is then bleached and “spattered” with brownish-red lacquer to make the spots, or “eyes” on the beads. A fixing agent is then applied so that the spots stay put (meaning you can get these beads wet without worrying that the color will be affected), and as the final step holes are drilled to make the 10mm spheres into beads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI don’t typically use gemstones that aren’t 100% natural, but I made an exception with these agates because they’re so visually striking and unusual! As always, all of the metal components are stainless steel and you have your choice of golden or silvery bracelet hardware!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e“If it’s not good enough for me, then it’s not good enough for my customers. If I wouldn’t wear it, it doesn’t belong in my shop.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e - Heather Constable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hand Knotted Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"5.5”","offer_id":54041426002104,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6”","offer_id":54041426034872,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6.5”","offer_id":54041426067640,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7”","offer_id":54041426100408,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7.5”","offer_id":54041426133176,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8”","offer_id":54041426165944,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Gold plated stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54041426198712,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silvery stainless steel hardware","offer_id":54041426231480,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Earrings - golden","offer_id":54041426264248,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Earrings - silvery","offer_id":54041426297016,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/1527\/4424\/files\/41F965A6-6385-4B6B-8D18-DE2656A74D6D.jpg?v=1788521581"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/1527\/4424\/collections\/FullSizeRender_caca5d99-bd51-4acb-98bb-be8eb5e71fd2.jpg?v=1788451163","url":"https:\/\/handknottedjewelry.com\/collections\/holiday-collection-gemstone-bead-bracelets-and-earrings.oembed","provider":"Hand Knotted Jewelry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}