Author: smoorani

kumihimo Disc

12 Strand Kumihimo Bracelet Video

12 Strand Kumihimo Bracelet Video

In this jewelry making video, you see how easy it is to create a 12-strand Kongo Gumi Kumihimo braid. This braid is then turned into a bracelet project that can be worn by either men or women.

For this project, you will need

  • 1 Kumihimo Disk
  • 6 x 30″ piece of 1 mm Leather/Pleather cording
  • Kumihimo end caps
  • some Jump Rings
  • Clasp
  • E6000 Glue
  • 2 x 5″ scrap artistic wire
  • Chain Nose Pliers
  • Flat Nose Pliers
  • Cutters

 

March Birthstone – Aquamarine

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is often called “The Poor Man’s Diamond”.   It is a mineral beryl that also includes other gemstones such as the emerald, morganite, and heliodor. The beryl consists of four elements: beryllium, aluminum, silicon, oxygen with traces of iron. It occurs as a free six-sided crystal in rock veins. It is a relatively hard gem, ranking after the diamond, sapphire, ruby, alexandrite, and topaz.

Albite-Beryl-weillaqua3

 

Image Source: http://www.irocks.com/minerals/specimen/7831

The colour and intensities vary from deep blue to blue-green to yellow. Naturally occurring deep blue stones are the most prized because they are rare and expensive. However, yellow beryl stones can be heated to change them to blue aquamarines.

The best commercial source of aquamarines are found in Brazil, Colombia, the Ural Mountains of Russia, the island of Malagasy, and India. Some sources also exist in the United States such as Colorado, Maine, and North Carolina.

The name was derived by the Romans, “aqua,” meaning water, and “mare,” meaning sea, because it looked like sea water. They were sacred to Neptune, Roman god of the sea. This association with the sea made it the sailors’ gem, promising prosperous and safe voyages, as well as protection against perils and monsters of the sea as early as 480BC by the greeks

During the Roman period, the aquamarine was believed to possess medicinal and healing powers such as curing ailments of the stomach, liver, jaws, and throat. Aquamarines were thought to be the source of power for fortune tellers for telling fortunes and answering questions about the future. Emperor Nero was believed to have used it as an eyeglass some 2,000 years ago. Much more recently, aquamarines were used as glasses in Germany to correct short sightedness. In fact, the German name for eyeglasses today is “brille,” derived from the mineral beryl.

The Gem Expo

The Gem Expo

March 18-20, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Toronto, 370 King St West.

The Gem Expo – Spring 2016

The Gem Expo is Canada’s Premier show for Beads, Beading supplies and Tools, Gems & Gemstones, Copper and Sterling Silver Findings, Jewellery, Minerals, Amber, Pearls, Glass and Lampwork artisans The show features handmade jewellery from talented artisans and features a large variety of Precious and Semi-Precious stones such as Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Pearls, and many others. Whether you’re looking for strands to make your own jewellery, beautifully faceted stones for setting or wire wrapping, or finished pieces with exquisite gems, exquisite mineral samples or interested in the healing properties of Minerals, The Gem Expo has it all.

The Gem Expo is held 3 times a year at the Hyatt Regency on King in beautiful downtown Toronto. The show also supports a local charity through a silent auction at each show. This show’s charity will be supporting Operation Smile. For more details on the show and the next show dates, check out www.thegemexpo.com.

Where:
Hyatt Regency Toronto on King
370 King Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 1J9

When:
March 13 – 11:30am – 8:00pm
March 14 – 10:00am – 6:00pm
March 15 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

Cost:
$6 per day or $10 for all 3 days, Kids 12 and under free.
$12 off coupon available online

Subway Info:
550 Meters west on King from St Andrews Station

Tickets:
http://goo.gl/wh4DxD