Moon Glow

Who: Yumi Ueno
What: Art Jewelry & Metal
Where: Van Nuys, CA
Web: http://www.yumidesign.com/
Why: Yumi focuses on movement and flow, material and color, all skillfully, sensitively balanced. I love the animated spirit of her pieces and her liberal use of exotic gems, especially those mischievously glowing Moonstones...joyfully mesmerizing!

Dancing by the Light of the Moon

Who: Penny Preville
What: Couture Designer Jewelry
Where: Great Neck, NY
Web: http://www.pennypreville.com/
Why: "The lore of Moonstone is that the light of the moon formed it. There is a fable that claims a woman wearing it on the night of a full moon will fall passionately in love..."  ;)

Brilliantly Spinning in Orbit

Who: Claudio Pino
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Web: http://pinodesign.net/
Why: Crazyamazing technical craftsmanship, screamingly far out award-winning designs...I love the brilliant spins of Claudio's kinetic pieces!  :)

Just So Simple

Who: Victoria Jarman
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Corsham, England, UK
Web: http://victoriajarman.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/VixJarmanJewellery
Why: Refreshingly fetching jewels! Victoria uses recycled gold and silver and ethically sourced gems in her eco-friendly studio, where she also makes stained glass windows. Lovely pieces, as charming as a simple smile.  :)

Enchanting Colors of the Seasons

Who: Jessica Dow, Martha Borzoni and Mark Anderson of Different Seasons Jewelry
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Barron, WI
Web: http://www.differentseasonsjewelry.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DifferentSeasons
Why: Enchantingly colorful gems include Moonstone, Spectrolite and Labradorite, Opal, Chrysoprase and Sugilite, and all sorts of supercool Fossils, Jaspers and Agates, cut and set in-studio by the talented trio...beautiful teamwork!  :)

Strength of Hand

Who: Ann Cahoon of Flying Marquis Studio
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Ashby, MA
Web: http://flyingmarquis.com/
http://www.artfulhome.com/artist/Ann-Cahoon/8160
Why: Strong and stunning handmade chain accented by soft and shimmery Moonstone, Labradorite, Diamond...love it!

Divine Intuition

Who: Natasha Wozniak
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Brooklyn, NY
Web: http://www.natashajewelry.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NatashaWozniakDesign
Why: Natasha is an admirably disciplined and skilled craftsperson with a magically intuitive, thoughtful and heart-full approach to her work.  :)

Opulent Moon

Who: Paula Crevoshay
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Albuquerque, NM
Web: http://www.crevoshay.com/
Why: Paula's work is the embodiment of magnificent opulence, combining her formal training as a painter and sculptor, her deep appreciation of treasurable gems and her supercolorful sense of design. I've had the pleasure of working with her on several occasions designing for clients...she is ever so gracious, elegant and sophisticated, just like her gorgeous jewels!

Magic in the Heavens, Magic in the Gems...

Have You Viewed the Solstice SuperMoon?

On June 23, the moon will be at its closest distance to Earth for 2013 while in its full phase. As a result, it will appear 8 percent larger and 17 percent brighter than usual—an event widely known as a supermoon.

And making it a bit more special, thanks to coincidental timing, this supermoon will be coming on the heels of the June solstice, which takes place only two days before.

"This kind of celestial geometry repeats roughly every 14 years," said (Adler Planetarium astronomer Mark) Hammergen.

Continued...

Magic of the Moonstone

The moonstone is one of the most magical looking gemstones. With its many changing colors and the glow from it that resembles the moon makes it look like it has enchanting powers. The Romans believed that the stone was formed from the frozen moonlight because of the beautiful shimmer that it gives off. The moonstone is quickly related to goddesses; those goddesses include Diana, Hecate, Artemis, Hera, and Selene, the moon goddess herself. In fact, ancient Greeks called the moonstone “Aphroselene” after both Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Selene, the goddess of the moon and it was thought that the best time to use the moonstone was during a full moon to make this gemstone its most powerful. Because of its association to the water, moonstone also has said to have the power to protect those at sea. It was given the name “Traveler’s Stone” due to this and then was also said to protect those who traveled during the night, especially during a new moon. Both Indian and European legends thought that the moonstone would make two people fall passionately in love with each other when the moon is high in the sky and they were both wearing the stone. They also thought that it would bring bitter lovers back together. During the middle ages people believed that if you looked into a moonstone you were able to see the future.

Continued...

Drifting Down on Moonbeams

Who: Ariane Hartmann
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Hagen, Germany
Web: http://www.ariane-hartmann.de/startengl.html
Why: Airy and ethereal...as if drifting down on moonbeams.  :)

Modernist Moon

For those who groove on the Masters of Modernism...

Torun Bülow-Hübe for Georg Jensen
Silver Brooch with Moonstone
British Museum, London
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=3503774&partId=1

Michael John Jerry
Sterling Silver Collar and Pendant with Moonstone
Museum of Arts and Design, NY
http://collections.madmuseum.org/code/emuseum.asp?emu_action=media&id=344&mediaid=5485

Albert Paley
Gold, Bronze and Silver Double Fibula Brooch with Pearls, Moonstone and Madagascar Labradorite
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
http://www.mfah.org/art/detail/double-fibula-brooch/

Ruth Roach
"Patricia Bracelet" Sterling Silver with Moonstone
M. Schon Gallery
http://www.modernsilver.com/roacharticle.htm

Louis Mueller
Gold Vermeil Brooch with Moonstone and Onyx
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/brooch-457092

Antonio Pineda
Sterling Silver Bracelet with Moonstone
M. Schon Gallery
http://www.modernsilver.com/antoniointerview.html

Ed Wiener
Sterling Silver Ring with Moonstone
M. Schon Gallery
http://www.mschon.com/summer2012/ed%20wiener%20moonston%20ring.htm

Sam Kramer
Silver Earrings with Turquoise and Moonstone
M. Schon Gallery
http://www.modernsilver.com/architectonic.htm

Wendy Ramshaw
Gold Brooches with Black Basalt, Moonstone and Chalcedony
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O143731/pins-ramshaw-wendy/

Twixt Sun and Moon

Who: Elfi Spiewack
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Lyttelton, New Zealand
Web: http://www.elfispiewack.com/
Why: I love how that Elfi challenges the concept of wearable art while infusing deep sentiment into her work. Precise lines and raw edges coexist perfectly just like yin and yang, day and night, sun and moon.  ;)

Masters of the Moon

Magnificent Moonstones in the Hands of the Elite Masters

Louis Comfort Tiffany
Platinum Necklace and Pendant with Moonstone and Sapphire
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/10005554

Reginald Pearson
Gold Brooch with Moonstone and Sapphire
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O126514/brooch-pearson-reginald/

Cartier
Platinum Brooch with Rock Crystal, Moonstone and Diamond
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O152946/brooch-cartier/

John Paul Cooper
Gold Brooch Moonstone, Pearl, Ruby, Amethyst and Chrysoprase
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/brooch-495555

Henry Wilson
Buckle and Belt Tag with Moonstone, Gems and Enamel
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O67008/buckle-and-belt-wilson-henry/

George Hunt
Silver and Gold Brooch with Moonstone, Sapphire and Enamel
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O143719/brooch-hunt-george/

Charles Robert Ashbee
Silver and Gold Brooch with Moonstone, Topaz, Freshwater Pearl and Enamel
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/marsh-bird-brooch-506941

Ferdinand Hauser
Gold Brooch with Moonstone and Enamel
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1998.356

In The Heavens

Who: Linda Blumel Studio
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Scottsdale, AZ
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LindaBlumel
Why: Nothing spins my spurs like expertly-cut one-of-a-kind gems...Chrysocolla-Malachite, Rainbow Moonstone, Sugilite, Gaspeite...alongside gorgeous Amethyst, Rhodolite, Tanzanite...so many of my favorites! Linda's Studio is pure heaven!  :)

Full Moon, New Moon, Grey Moon, Blue Moon

Just as the Moon has a range of many phases, Moonstone has a stunning spectrum of several ethereal hues...

Mysterious Colors of the Moon

The ancient Romans theorized that moonstone, with its unearthly shimmer, was formed from frozen moonlight. This appealing gem variety does shine with a cool lunar light but it is the mineral feldspar, quite terrestrial in origin. The shimmer, which is called schiller or adularescence, is caused by the intergrowth of two different types of feldspar, with different refractive indexes.

Moonstones come in a variety of colors. The body color can range from colorless to gray, brown, yellow, green, or pink. The clarity ranges from transparent to translucent. The best moonstone has a blue sheen, perfect clarity, and a colorless body color. Another related feldspar variety is known as rainbow moonstone. In this variety, the sheen is a variety of rainbow hues, from pink to yellow, to peach, purple, and blue.

Continued...

Row 1:
Who: Madelynn Cassin of Vyoleto and Garnet Girl Designs
What: Rainbow Moonstone Halo Ring in Sterling Silver
Where: Manchester, NH
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/153382804/rainbow-moonstone-halo-ring-6mm

Who: Madelynn Cassin of Vyoleto and Garnet Girl Designs
What: White Moonstone and Green Sapphire 14K Gold Necklace
Where: Manchester, NH
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/97595480/green-sapphire-white-moonstone-and-14k

Who: Madelynn Cassin of Vyoleto and Garnet Girl Designs
What: Black "Man in the Moon" Moonstone 14K Rose Gold Ring
Where: Manchester, NH
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/56448769/man-in-the-moon-14k-rose-gold-and-black

Row 2:
Who: Mimi Favre of Favre Bijoux
What: Peach Moonstone Oval Cabochon Minimal Earrings
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/129478793/peach-moonstone-oval-cabochon-minimal

Who: Cheryl Van Dyck of Lavender Cottage
What: "Once in a Blue Moon" Hammered 14K Gold Stack Rings with Blue Moonstone
Where: Greeneville, TN
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/53818558/hammered-14kt-solid-gold-stack-rings

Who:  Jodi Brownstein of Jodi Rae Designs
What: Sterling Silver Bola Earrings with Rainbow Moonstone Briolettes
Where: Austin, TX
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/151053050/sterling-silver-bola-earrings-with

Row 3:
Who: Mimi Favre of Favre Bijoux
What: Greenish Moonstone Minimal Pendant in Sterling Silver
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/154089164/moonstone-cabochon-minimal-pendant

Who: Madelynn Cassin of Vyoleto and Garnet Girl Designs
What: White "Man in the Moon" Moonstone 14K Yellow Gold Ring
Where: Manchester, NH
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/58244370/white-moonstone-face-in-recycled-14k

Who: Shannon Crain of Selicias
What: 14K Gold Peach Moonstone Hoop Earrings
Where: Portland, OR
Web: http://www.etsy.com/listing/153337309/14k-gold-peach-moonstone-earrings-real

Moonstone Cabochon Photos courtesy of Roger Weller and Cochise College
http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/mingem/gemtl/moonstone/moonstoneL.htm

Ring Master

Who: Denise Betesh
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Santa Fe, NM
Web: http://denisebetesh.com/
Why: Denise is a legend for her elegantly handmade woven and ring chains and regally beautiful granulated designs. Her gems are noteworthy without overpowering the designs. She is truly a master of her art.  :)

Southern Treasures

Who: Sarah Amos
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Charleston, SC
Web: http://sarahamosjewelry.com/
Why: High karat gold surrounding spectacular stones always gets me! Sarah's perfectly crafted collections are superfabulous and definitely worth a trip to the Deep South!

Spectral Icon

Who: Petra Class
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: San Francisco, CA
Web: http://petraclass.net/
Why: An icon of the Fine Art Jewelry sphere, Petra is beloved for her extravagant use of gemmy color and richly eccentric design sense. I love her gems...Diamond, Spinel, Lapis, Tourmaline and of course Moonstone!

Of Sea, Earth and Sky

Who: Kate Pearse of Glasswing
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: West Sussex, UK
Web: http://www.glasswingjewellery.com/index.htm
Why: Just something gentle and strong about her weathered textures, simple stones and sincerely ethical approach to her art.  :)

Metamorphosis in Metal

Who: Eve Llyndorah and Ray Lipovsky
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Web: http://www.llyndorah.com/index.php
Why: Dynamic organic forms that seem to erupt and transform and unfold in molten metal...artistically fascinating work!

Purely Primitive

Who: Ann Culy of Lure Jewellery Workshop
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Dunedin, New Zealand
Web: http://www.fingers.co.nz/exhibitors/ann_culy.htm
http://www.avidgallery.co.nz/ann-culy/
Why: Ann's provocatively primitive style using unusual gems and pure metals blends seamlessly with haute couture and easily with well-worn jeans.  :)

Moon's Edge

Who: Michael Endlich of Pavé Fine Jewelry
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Oakland and Berkeley, CA
Web: http://www.pavefinejewelry.com/index.php
Why: Singularly stunning gems and intriguing design style...I enjoy designers that explore the edge.  :)

Fair and Focused

Who: Theresa Kwong of TK Metal Arts
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: San Mateo, CA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/tkmetalarts
http://www.custommade.com/by/tk-metal-arts/
Why: Boldly stone-focused, I love her hand-tooled ethical jewels.  ;)

Whispers of Ancient Moons

Who: Fi Mehra
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Devizes, Wiltshire, UK
Web: http://www.fimehra.co.uk/
Why: Love the rustic textures and mythical motifs...magical amulets recalling ancient times.  :)

Sea Of Tranquility

Who: Mark Nuell
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: London, England
Web: http://www.marknuell.com/index.html
Why: Serene hues and gently sloping curves. Lovely sleepy Spinels, Sapphires, Tourmalines, Moonstones and Diamonds. All of it is entrancingly beautiful!

From a Healing Heart

Who: Lucy Copleston of Exclusive Jewellery
What: Handcrafted Jewelry and Handmade Beads
Where: Vale of Clwyd, Denbighshire, North Wales
Web: http://www.exclusivejewellery.co.uk/index.html
Why: Captivating designs from a graciously gifted jeweler, teacher and compassionate healer. I would love to take her classes deep in the ancient heart of Wales.  :)

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Who: Corrina Field of Skydancer Jewellery and Glass
What: Handmade Decorative Glass, Unique Gemstone Jewellery
Where: Stourbridge, England
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CorrinaFieldHandmade
http://folksy.com/shops/CorrinaFieldHandmade
Why: Wildly beautiful jewels!

Shimmering in the Moonlight

Who: Julia Kay Taylor
What: Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry
Where: Tucson, AZ
Web: http://www.juliakaytaylor.com/index.html
Why: Julia's exceptional craftsmanship is well-matched with her impressive sense of design. Lush gems include Tsavorite Garnet, Chrysoberyl, Peach Tourmaline and my current crush Moonstone...that Blue Moonstone choker is truly a stunner!

Here's a little more about June's beguiling birthstone...

Moonstone

The moonstone is characterised by an enchanting play of light. Indeed it owes its name to that mysterious shimmer which always looks different when the stone is moved and is known in the trade as 'adularescence'. In earlier times, people believed they could recognise in it the crescent and waning phases of the moon.

Moonstones from Sri Lanka, the classical country of origin of the moonstone, shimmer in pale blue on an almost transparent background. Specimens from India feature a nebulous interplay of light and shadow on a background of beige-brown, green, orange or brown. These discreet colours, in connection with the fine shimmer, make the moonstone an ideal gemstone for jewellery with a sensual, feminine aura. This gemstone was very popular once before, about a hundred years ago at the time of Art Nouveau. It adorns a noticeably large number of the jewellery creations of the French master goldsmith René Lalique and his contemporaries, mainly to be found in museums and collections today.

This gemstone is surrounded by a good deal of mystique and magic. In many cultures, for example in India, it is regarded as a holy, magical gemstone. In India, moonstones are also regarded as 'dream stones' which bring the wearer beautiful visions at night. In Arabic countries, women often wear moonstones sewn out of sight into their garments, for in their cultures the moonstone is a symbol of fertility.

The moonstone symbolises our being in its entirety. With its soft shimmer, it strengthens our emotional and subconscious aspects. The associations connected with that make it a "lovers' stone", evoking tender feelings and safeguarding the true joys of love. It is also said that wearing a moonstone strengthens our intuition and our capacity to understand.

Continued...

Misty Blue

Who: Adele Taylor Jewellery
What: Handcrafted Jewellery
Where: Sheffield, England
Web: http://adeletaylorjewellery.weebly.com/index.html
http://www.iapetus.co.uk/Adele-Taylor/
Why: Truly cool jewels and spinny daisy pots and patinated kaleidoscopes.
I'm simply smitten by another misty blue moonstone!  :)