Saturday, December 1, 2007

GOLD: Christmas Glitter


Flattened gold crystals from California's Mother Lode country.

Dear Jewelry's Allure Reader,

Are you reading the #1 best selling paperback novel about betrayal, hardship, and wealth? History has supplied us with the real thing; the gold rush of 1848. The California gold rush marks the beginning of the modern age of gold.

On January 24, 1848 John Marshall found the first pebble of gold at Sutter's Mill on the American River, now known as the Sacramento River. As word traveled, the California gold rush was born and prospecting became a way of life. His discovery led to one of the largest human migrations in our country's history which brought with it a resounding social and economic impact. Gold had always been reserved for the upper levels of society. Now, prospectors were pushing their way into social levels to which one had to be born - the common people not "the gods" now took possession of gold.

Good as gold, black gold, the gold coast, the golden rule, "make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." The metaphors we use everyday for what is quality is in itself a testament to the universal allure of the precious metal.

Gold has made cities famous like Dawson City and Fort Knox. One city I'm personally familiar with is Lake Teslin in the Yukon. In 1893 my great grandfather, Bernard Scheeper, left his wife and two daughters, to live in White Plains, New York while he went to pan for gold in the Yukon. Here are his handmade Christmas cards he sent to his family Christmas of 1898. "Do you hear the wolves" he writes from his cabin. Thousands found gold in the Yukon, only a few hundred got rich.



The artist, Gustav Klimt, in Vienna in the late 1800’s used gold in his painting The Kiss. Applied with heat and added to glass 22kt gold turns clear glass to red. And one has only to look up to the top of Grand Central Terminal to see the sculpture of Mercury with his winged feet standing a top a Tiffany timepiece. The dial features the largest example of Tiffany glass adorned in gold. In the Boucher Room at the Frick in New York City you can find opulent examples of 18th century French bronze gilded furniture.

In the light gold exudes a warmth and richness of color that is hard to put into words. It's almost spiritual. Maybe that's why a pre-Columbian chief was said to ritualistically cover his entire body in gold dust. I wonder if it made him feel closer to the gods? The opening of the James Bond film Goldfinger in the 1960's with the woman's body covered in shiny gold paint could take your breath away. Take a moment to observe a gold bracelet against tan skin in the afternoon summer sun, it's totally sensuous. Like a wedding band, we can find ourselves surrounded by gold in art, furniture, architecture and jewelry. Whether it's 14kt, 18kt, 22kt or 24 karat, what part of gold catches your eye and speaks to you with its subtle sparkle?

Linda Vail
For Jewelry’s Allure


December Calendar

Exhibits at the GIA Museum. From now through March 2008, “Reflections in Stone” will showcase famed gem carver Bernd Munsteiner’s work during the period 1966–2003. On display in the Mikimoto Rotunda, the exhibit will include carved quartz, tourmaline, and beryl, ranging from pieces set in jewelry to large table-top sculptures. Advance reservations are required; to schedule a tour, call 760-603-4116 or e-mail museum@gia.edu.

The Aurora Collection at The Vault. “The Vault,” an new permanent collection of rare gemstones and mineral specimens is now open at the Natural History Museum in London. Headlining the initial exhibit is the Aurora Collection, currently comprising 296 naturally colored diamonds (267.45 total carats) assembled by diamond collectors Alan Bronstein and Harry Rodman. Also on display is the 47.69 ct Star of Africa, which helped launch the 1869 diamond rush in South Africa, and the 1,385.95 ct Devonshire emerald crystal.
Visit www.nhm.ac.uk/galleries.

Jewelry of Ben Nighthorse. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 1992–2004, has enjoyed a successful second career as an innovative jewelry designer. This collection of his work, which debuted at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in 2004, is on display at the Colorado History Museum in Denver through December 31, 2007. Visit http://www.coloradohistory.org/.

© Copyright 2007 The Vail Group

Friday, November 9, 2007

TOPAZ: Gems' Fall Color

Left to right: Pale Citrine, Darker Citrine, Madeira Citrine and Imperial Topaz


Dear Jewelry's Allure Reader,

Try to remember a late afternoon drive in the autumn countryside where the colors above appear to be autumn leaves whizzing by as you gaze out the car window. Yet, unlike the leaves, the colors you’re looking at are not dry and won’t blow away at the first sign of a northerly wind. They are colors of a durable autumn, an autumn made of gems.

Are yellow "autumn gems" considered topazes or are they citrines? This confusion of names goes back to ancient history. In the olden days all red stones were called ruby, all blue stones sapphire and all yellow stones topaz. In gem folklore and healing it’s said that topazes worn around the neck would calm emotions and if worn as a ring topaz would protect the wearer from an untimely death.

For accuracy though, citrines belong to the quartz family of gemstones and are called citrine from the French word “citron” meaning lemon. They range from pale yellow, to a reddish “fire” orange color called Madeira for the color of wine. The reddish "fire" orange shade of the Madeira citrine rivals the topaz which is why citrine is now listed along with the topaz as a birthstone for November.

The true imperial or precious topaz, is sherry-brown in color and comes from Brazil. The root of the word topaz is derived from the old Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire. You can see fire in the exquisite flash of peach emanating from the reddish orange color of the imperial topaz. The blue topaz is abundant, affordable and fashionable. It rivals the aquamarine in color for a fraction of the cost which has contributed to its popularity.

In the light, look closely at your citrines and topazes. Move them slightly to see the different colors reflecting within the stone. Look for the Madeira citrine's fire. Catch the flash of peach in the imperial topaz. When it comes to wearing these autumn gems the blue topaz sky's the limit! Mix and match. Honey colored cabochon citrine with white keshi pearls. Blue topaz with peridot and citrine. Smoky quartz with turquoise and gold or brown pearl and pink topaz. All this sparkle and play of color can take your breath away. A connection with gem's beauty will always lift your spirits. Isn't that part of the allure of jewelry?

Linda Vail

For Jewelry's Allure

November’s Calendar

Exhibits at the GIA Museum. “Reflections in Stone” showcasing gem carver Bernd Munsteiner’s work from 1966-2003. Now through March 2008, with reservations. museum@gia.edu

Gemstone Treasures from Namibia. The diversity and majesty of Namibia’s gems is presented in a special exhibit at the Deutschen Edelsteinmuseum in Idar-Oberstein until December 2, 2007

www.edelsteinmuseum.de/edelsteine_Namibia.htm.

Wine and gems in Dijon. "Colour Sparkles: Legendary Wines and Gemstones," a unique exhibition of fine gems and fine wines, will be held in the Sciences Garden at the Parc de l’Arquebuse, Dijon, France, through December 9, 2007. Visit www.dijon.fr/fiche/eclats-de-couleurspierres-et-vins-de-legende.evt.5604.php.

Jewelry of Ben Nighthorse. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 1992–2004, has enjoyed a successful second career as an innovative jewelry designer. This collection of his work, which debuted at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in 2004, is on display at the Colorado History Museum in Denver through December 31, 2007. Visit http://www.coloradohistory.org/

© Copyright 2007 The Vail Group