Bracelet: Lapis Lazuli and Black Onyx

This stunning 7 inch bracelet combines 4mm lapis lazuli stone beads with 6mm black onyx beads on stretchy cord. It is just under 1/2 inch wide.

Price: $30.00

Lapis lazuli is a bright blue semi-precious stone that is rather rare. It is, technically, a rock since it is made up of more than one mineral.

Commonly referred to as lapis, it has been prized for thousands of years. Lapis artifacts have been found in Predynastic Egyptian sites and neolithic burial sites.

For further reading: Lapis Lazuli

Pure black onyx is a type of quartz and the most common form of onyx. Onyx can be found in many colors but sardonyx is another form where the bands are red instead of black.

For further reading: Onyx

*Bracelet photo is copyrighted 2009 Laura J Miller. Lapis Lazuli photo has been released by its owner into the public domain. Onyx photo is licensed under GNU Free Documentation License. Click the pictures for enlargement and more details.

Announcing a Monthly Giveaway for Facebook Fans

Starting September 1, facebook fans of JAYSDESIGN Jewelry will be entered to win a 16 inch necklace. The style will vary from month to month. It could be sterling silver, gold-filled, pearls, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystal or a combination. At the beginning of each month, the prize will be posted, allowing the entrants to see what they have a chance to win. The picture shown here is an example of the possibilities.

The first drawing will take place September 30th at Midnight EST. Each monthly drawing will take place on the last day of the month. All you have to do to be entered is become a fan of JAYSDESIGN Jewelry on facebook. If you are already a fan, you are already entered to win. This is open to all.

Want to Win a Pearl Necklace?

Jaimey is hosting a giveaway on her author blog. She is giving away a signed copy of her book Redemption and I have donated a string of genuine cultured freshwater pearls to go with it. For details and how to enter, visit Into the Mind of Jaimey Grant. Entry deadline is August 31.

Necklace: Hand-Knotted Pearls

18 inch strand of white saltwater pearls, hand-knotted with 100% silk thread and 0.925 sterling silver clasp.

Price: $150.00

What are hand-knotted pearls?

Exactly what is says: There is a tiny knot between each pearl that is done by hand. This makes the pearls look better and the necklace is less likely to break since the cut edge of the bead hole wears on the knot instead of the thread itself. If it does break only one pearl is lost rather than an entire strand. Having the pearls spaced also reduces the wear on the beads themselves. Hand-knotted pearls are also referred to as heirloom jewelry.

Earrings: Sterling Silver Dangles with Seed Beads and Swarovski Crystal

Earrings: 3 1/2 inch dangle earrings with 0.925 sterling silver hooks, multiple strands featuring "liquid" silver, red glass seed beads and red Swarovski leaded crystals.

(Liquid silver is a rather fanciful name given to skinny sterling silver tube beads. When used in multiple strands, they seem to "flow" like liquid. The ones in this design are 0.925 sterling.)

What does 0.925 mean? Put simply, this means the compound is 92.5% pure silver. Fine silver (99.9%) is too soft for most applications. So a stronger metal is added to make the silver more practical for everyday wear and use. Copper is the usual choice for the other 7.5% of the equation.

Silver is a popular choice for jewelry both for its beauty and durability, not to mention the lower cost. It has also been said that silver can be a mood lifter.

For further reading: Sterling Silver

Swarvoski crystal beads are a brand name of precision cut lead crystal beads that have been around since the late 1800s. They are produced by Swarovski AG of Austria. Daniel Swarovski patented the electric machine that made mass production of the beads possible.

For further reading: Swarovski

Swarovski's official site: http://www.swarovski.com/

Necklace: 76 Inch Beaded Rope

Necklace: A simple 76 inch strand of earth-tone beads made of stone, wood and bone in multiple shapes and sizes. This necklace includes stones such as howlite, rose quartz, snowflake obsidian, aventurine, un-dyed fossil stone, fancy jasper, and several more.

Earth tones are the colors of earth or soil, brownish-reds and browns. Many different shades are in this piece, ranging from white to mahogany with a splash of green and pale pink.

Price: $28.00 US

Howlite is a white-ish stone with gray matrix that is often in a web-like pattern. It is often dyed turquoise to simulate that stone. It was discovered by Canadian chemist, geologist and mineralogist Henry How in California in 1868.

For further reading: Howlite

Obsidian is formed when lava cools without crystal growth. It is volcanic glass, comprised of so many minerals that it can't be classified as just one. It is sometimes referred to as a mineraloid. The "snowflakes" in snowflake obsidian are caused by the inclusion of white cristobalite, a high-temperature type of quartz, getting trapped in the black glass.

For further reading: Obsidian

Aventurine is a form of quartz, most often green but sometimes orange, brown, yellow, blue, or gray. It is a translucent stone with mineral inclusions that can sometimes cause a shimmering quality. The ones in this piece are green.

For further reading: Aventurine

Pendant: Opal in 14K Yellow Gold Setting with 18 inch Chain

Pendant: Genuine 5x7mm white opal cabochon in 14K yellow gold setting on a delicate 14K yellow gold chain, 18 inches long. A black, white satin-lined gift box is included.

The pictures do not do this stone justice. No camera can accurately capture an opal's iridescent fire.

What is an opal? It is a mineral of hydrated silica. Opals are known for their rich iridescence. It is Australia's national gemstone and one of October's birthstones.

In the Middle Ages, it was believed that opal could bring good luck. It was a commonly held superstition that the stone possessed all the benefits of all gemstones whose color was present in the opal. In Victorian times, gem dealers, with the help of an author they hired, attempted to stop the rush to buy opals by circulating a rumor of the stone's bad luck.

For further information, see this article: Opal.