Joden Girl
Baubles, Bling and the Latest Things
I love discovering new (or new-to-me) things in the jewelry world… it might be a designer, a technique, or even a gemstone. I am always reading about trends and predictions for the upcoming season. I was a little delighted that chunky pendants and strands of large, colorful beads will be everywhere this summer. It was the perfect inspiration for a new window display; while I was gathering hanks of gemstone beads, I uncovered a set that I’d never seen.
Experience told me that it wasn’t jade. It doesn’t have the right tone or texture. In fact, these apple-green gems look like turquoise. Google Lens offered two possibilities – both were intriguing.
- Carico Lake Turquoise – a rare and highly collectible stone found in Nevada. It is known for its vibrant, lime-green color. This unusual hue is caused by a high zinc content.
- Gaspeite – an extremely rare mineral found in Canada and Australia. It is valued for it’s vivid apple-green color credited to its nickel carbonate content.
Luckily, we have an XRF Analyzer. I simply placed the beads in the scanner and pressed the button. In just seconds, the result was 98% nickel. This necklace and earrings are gaspeite.
Forty-eight cylindrical beads showcase lovely shades of bright green interspersed with white matrix and dark green veining. Divided into two halves, these orbs flank both sides of the center medallion. Hand-crafted from 14-karat yellow gold, this pendant showcases an opposed seahorse motif. A pair of high-polish seahorses sit on each side of a large, bezel-set piece of gaspeite.
The nautical theme repeats itself in the lever-back style earrings. Smaller golden seahorses guard the prized square piece of lime-green gaspeite held between them. For those that have heard of this unusual gemstone, perhaps you also know that it is a grounding stone. It encourages emotional release; it helps to heal past wounds, resentment and anger. Gaspeite is also believed to promote emotional stability and love.
Gaspeite is not a particularly durable gem; in fact, it is quite soft. It can scratch easily and should not be exposed to harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaning. A simple solution of mild soap and water is all that is needed to clean it. Because it is delicate, it is best enjoyed in a pendant and earrings like this as opposed to a ring or bracelet that would be subject to a bit rougher wear.
An online search did not offer many gaspeite jewels crafted with gold; what pieces were available had been constructed from silver. Though I was unable to find any provenance for this lovely duo, I can’t help but think it must be quite rare. Destined to be a beloved asset in any jewelry-lovers wardrobe, these pair can be purchased for just $1500.00.
“You can go to a museum and look, or come to us and touch.”
Written by Carrie Martin
Photos by Dana Jerpe
