If a Tree Falls in the Forest...

Who: Cynthia Mann
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Brighton, MI
Web: http://www.cynthiamanndesigns.com/
Why: I've always been fascinated by Petrified Palmwood. Often a warm sand or honey color with darker organic patterns, it forms as a result of a typical fossilization process...a tree falls in the mud, becoming encased in mineral-rich sediment and silt. Slowly over the course of several decades, the minerals replace the tree's original cells, crystallizing into a rather hard stone that takes to polishing quite well. In the hands of a skilled cutter, the stone can be cut along different faces to reveal different patterns of grain such as playful polka dots or stripes.
...sorry for geeking out, but seriously, how rare and cool is it that a majestic tree becomes a gorgeous wearable gem that will last until the end of time?
In addition to golden Petrified Palmwood Cynthia uses all sorts of unusual gems such as rich marine blue Azurite, lavender-colored Chalcedony and minty Gaspeite, alongside traditionally faceted gems. She frames them in textured, oxidized sterling and high-karat gold, using gently feminine motifs. Timeless designs for timeless gems. Perfect!