December 2007 – Rocks Happen, But Crystals and Gemstones are Freaks

Just in time for the New Year to add that special piece to wear to your favorite events. Tri-sided bead in silver on silver wire: $250 (also available gold plated). The double lariat shown here in sterling and 18k plated, very sexy: $325 (also available in all silver or all gold plated). This tri-sided quartz bead in a matte-finish, suspended from a wire, is a great contemporary look: $125 (available with silver or gold wire). These small,silver cylinder earrings transition from day to evening, for just a touch of glimmer in motion: $120 (also available in gold).

Claudia Endler invited to speak at speaking engagement at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), Los Angeles.

Our annual client appreciation event will run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in downtown LA at the urban environs of our favorite architects,Telemachus Studio. Be on the lookout for your invitation, coming soon. Bring a guest and have fun!

Rolling Stones, and Then Some

What can make the use of these terms confusing at times is the overlapping nature of common elements among rocks, crystals, and gemstones. But there are ways to keep it simple, and that’s what we’re aiming to do here.

Rocks are naturally occurring aggregates of minerals. In other words, rocks are an accumulation of any number of sediments that come together randomly, such as rock particles, traveling molten lava, organic skeletal remains, sand, clay, minerals leached from other rocks due to weather, etc. Furthermore, natural heat and pressure—whether on or underneath the earth’s surface—produce chemical changes that further define a rock, hence the three general classifications of rock: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.

Cool Molecules

Like rocks, crystals are also natural formations, however, there are specific conditions that prompt their creation. For example, if the ejection of molten rock from a volcano has the opportunity to cool slowly, it’s the ideal condition for crystals to solidify. Once molten rock is close to solidifying, molecules will either come together in an orderly fashion, forming the beautiful, stable geometric pattern you see in a crystal, or they will break apart, forming nothing at all, or join together randomly to form something less impressive than crystal, like the composition of glass.

So what’s the value of crystal? Unlike the strict classifications for gemstones, for crystals, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Although, similar to gemstones, the clarity, color, and rarity of a crystal will fetch a higher price than its more common counterparts.

The Freaks Come Out Just Right

Precious and semi-precious gemstones are just products of natural crystals. Simply put, they are freaks of nature. The difference is that precious stones take on one of three gem-producing, crystal-forming patterns. Additionally, most precious and semi-precious stones are characterized by their mineral composition and purity, which determine their hardness, gravity, and coveted beauty—the three major traits of precious gemstones.

Ultimately, however, the key to calling a gemstone a gemstone is its aesthetic value and rarity. And while amber and pearls are products of organic matter, for example, they too are thought of as gemstones because of the powerful influence of market supply, fashion trends, cultural norms, and prominent designers.

The bottom line, folks, is pick what you like. The lesson is to be practical and know the value of what you’re giving or receiving.

Sources
www.wikipedia.org
www.xray.ncsu.edu
pubs.usgs.gov
www.pjentoft.com

If you have questions, need information or would like to unsubscribe, please email us at info@claudiaendlerdesigns.com

Thank you.