Category Archives: North Shore Jewelry

Jewelry Made during a Hurricane

Winters in Florida are usually very pleasant.. Recently we had to deal with the uncertainty of Tropical Storm (later Cat 1 Hurricane) Nicole, as it hit the east coast of Florida. While “sheltering in place”, I had the opportunity to create some Pendants while watching the Weather Channel.

“**Windy Beach” was created while storm force winds shook ou**r RV. You can actually see some of the flying pieces of Spanish Moss. **This “Moss” was everywhere.** **It’s not really moss, but you can look it up on line if you wish.** **Owyhee Picture Jasper.**

It seemed like forever for this storm to finally make landfall in south Florida. Fortunately this was well south of us, but we did feel the effects in Jacksonville, with storm surge, beach erosion and two days of steady rain and wind. Owning a big RV gives us some feeling of security. If the power goes off, we still have a generator, in case it’s needed. We have water and food; we have each other. For “medicinal purposes’ we have adult beverages in the fridge. The locals say it’s no big deal, unless mandatory evacuations are ordered (in which case we pack up and move the house). Luckily November hurricanes have been uncommon.

A beautiful Petoskey Stone pendant in Rose Gold and Argentium Sterling was named “Gray Skies” The large species reminded me of Nicole, a very large storm. A slight maroon tinge adds rarity to this particular species (Hexagonaria Anna). Anna is one of the two largest species of Hexagonaria. Anna is an unusual find, especially a perfectly patterned specimen with coloration..

**This very unusual Painted Lake Superior Agate sported a blue-gray base with orange blotches. I called this “Weather Radar**“. **It resembled the** **some of the radar images on the Weather Channel.**

**This striking Pudding Stone brought to mind the “Scattered Debris” left behind by Nicole.**

**“Coming Ashore” seemed the perfect name for this Lake Superior Amethyst Laker.**

**This Michipicoten Agate was aptly named “Storm Surge”**.

Rain for two solid days, and steady 45 MPH winds shook the RV. We pulled the slides in and hunkered down. It was an especially good time to make up some hurricane jewelry. I was not rushed or stressed, but I was inspired to create some storm related jewelry art. This also took my mind off of the remote posssibilty of Biblical flooding, or a tree falling on the bus. Fortunately the latter never happened, but great pieces of jewelry were created. I decided to give each piece a Storm-related name.

**Some of our “Snowbird” jewelry. These Pendants are a cross between Florida and** **the** **Great Lakes region**. Michigan’s State Gemstone, the Isle Royale Greenstone, and a lovely Eyed Thomsonite, From Superior’s North Shore, are “hatched” in common Cockle Shells, from Florida Beaches (or what’s left of Florida Beaches). Our 5 year old Granddaughter only brings me the best Cockle’s she finds.

All my new “Hurricane” jewelry will be available on this website, or available in our show inventory. If you call us, We can help you obtain any of these pendants. If a pendant is posted on one of our websites, it will link when you “click” on the picture.

Thomsonite Dreams

Even though you may see what appears to be a large Thomsonite in its’ Matrix, you can never tell how big it actually is.

Many times people will chat with me at an art show mentioning that Grandpa used to collect and work on rocks and minerals. My response is always; “Where ARE grandpas old rocks?” This leads to the next question; “Have you ever thought of selling them?”. Some of my best stuff, the really rare stuff, has come from grandpas old collections. On the flip side, many heirs think grandpa’s collection is exceedingly valuable, but it is not. They also put additional value on it because it has sentimental value. As a cabochon and jewelry maker, I cannot factor in sentimental value–I can only pay what is fair. Sometimes as part of the deal, sellers are happy to receive a piece of jewelry from something in the collection, giving them a memento from grandpa’s treasures.

Tumbled Thomsontes are carefully sliced to prepare for forming into cabochons.

Back in the 50’s and 60’s rock collecting and the Lapidary Hobby were very popular. This hobby waned in the 70’s, but came back in the early 2000’s with the Treasure-Hunting Programs that became popular on TV. It’s human nature to imagine that you can get rich with very little effort, by finding that rare gemstone treasure that may be worth thousands of dollars. We know this seldom happens, but it sometimes does.

These wonderful North Shore Thomsonites’ are ready for jewelry.

Recently I was contacted by a couple from Minnesota that had inherited Grandpa’s collection. What peaked my interest was the mention of North Shore Thomsonite. I love Thomsonite, especially old stock Thomsonite from a now buried, famous, location near Grand Marais. Without a doubt, the most beautiful gem quality Thomsonite ever discovered came from that site. This Thomsonite Grandpa had came from that location back in the 60’s. They called to see what their Thompsonite might be worth, as they were considering selling it.

One of the most amazing Thomsonites’ I’ve ever seen, and the largest I own. I have not decided whether to cut it or sell it as a specimen. 3″X 2″X 3/4″

After a picture exchange my interest grew, and eventually we met half way in Escanaba. Bonnie and I instantly loved these folks, and I especially loved Grandpa’s Thomsonite. Much of it was beautiful, dark eyed, classic Thomsonite, that is the most coveted type for jewelry. Those that have good Thomsonite know it is special. It was worth the trip and I’ve been thinking about those pieces every minute since I got them!

All the Lake Superior area Thomsonite is subject to being mixed with other Zeolites or other minerals. It is not uncommon to find Thomsonite mixed with Mesolite or Natrolite. Thomsonite often shows up in Isle Royale Greenstone, and is very sought after for jewelry and by collectors. North Shore Thomsonite is famous for having dark eyes caused by Chlorite.

Variegated Prehnite, especially “eyed” Prehnite is many times mistaken for Thomsonite, especially in the Keweenaw. For many years eyed Prehnite was considered Thomsonite, until tests by Michigan Tech proved otherwise.

Colorful and dark-eyed Thomsonites make amazing and valuable jewelry.

Good Thomsonite is still found in the Grand Marais, Minnesota area. Persistency in extracting the Thomsonite from it’s hard basalt matrix is required. You cannot just beat Thomsonite out of a rock. This Zeolite is very brittle, and the lightest tap from a rock hammer can shatter a thousand dollar piece. Thomsonite is sometimes sensitive to the harmonics of a grinding wheel, and will just break apart. Years of cutting this material serves as valuable training to prevent damage while making cabochons, but still there are some pieces that just crumble no matter how careful you are.

Classic pieces of Thomsonite from Grand Marais often contain micro-Copper. Copper is also seen in much of the Thomsonite from the Keweenaw Peninsula also. (it is the Copper District)

I have started to cut this material and have found it exceptionally nice. Snob Appeal Jewelry specializes in jewelry made from rocks and minerals of the Lake Superior area, and Thomsonite is one of those premiere gemstones from that area. You can expect some really wonderful Thomsonite jewelry to start rolling off the workbench in the near future.

Just out or curiosity I was checking the metaphysical properties of Thomsonite. What I read was Thomsonite: “lifts the fog–of the brain and of the situations you are trying to solve. This allows your brain to work at a maximum level and for you to see what is truly going on and how to solve it. Thomsonite helps dissolve laziness”. Why are Bonnie and I not wearing Thomsonite every day? It would obviously solve a lot of problems.

Shadow Agates, Greenstone, and Thomsonite Jewelry

As winter blasts keep us close to the fireplace, I have been busy creating new pendants with favorite gemstones and wire. Enjoy these two new Great Lakes Jewelry Treasures and two new Shadow Agates.

A beautiful and rare North Shore Thomsonite.

Unique to the Lake Superior region, I acquired a quantity of old stock North Shore Thomsonites over the summer and have started cutting and wrapping them into jewelry. These dark-eyed beauties are very rare and highly coveted. Since these Great Lakes gemstones came out of a site near Thomsonite Beach near Grand Marais, Minnesota that is now buried under a park, no others are found at that location.

Greenstone Lily Pads in Natrolite

The second Great Lakes Jewelry Treasure I recently made was a remarkable stone with Greenstone Lily Pads floating in a pink sea of Natrolite instead of floating in a sea of green Chlorastrolite. I made a pendant from the opposite side of this stone and it sold immediately. Never have I seen another Greenstone like this.

Shadow Wave Laguna Agate

I also made a pair of agates with shadow effect. In certain agates with opaque bands, the bands cast shadows on the adjacent bands as the agate is rotated back and forth. This crates what is referred to as “Shadow effect”. The bands casting shadows also have to be spaced correctly in order to “shadow”. the easiest was to explain shadow effect is if you lined up dominos and shined a light on the top of them. When you move the light back and forth over the dominos you see the shadow that are cast on the adjoining domino change. It’s the same with the lines in the Shadow Agate. This purpley-pink and white Laguna has a great Shadow effect. Laguna Agates from Mexico are famous for “Shadow”, but most banded agates, including my favorite, the Lake Superior Agate, can sport Shadow at times.

Blue Lace with shadow

In this old stock Blue Lace Agate I found wonderful shadow. Two Mercury Mist Topaz added at the top give elegance and sparkle to the glorious pale blue/white agate. What a great piece for a special holiday occasion or wedding!

All these are available at www.snobappealjewelry,com, Click on “View all our products”. With over 375 pendants, chains, and earrings on our site, we hope you will start your Christmas shopping with us now!

Thomsonite-The Amazing Pink Gemstone of Lake Superior.

Selecting Thomsonite and having coffee..can't get much better.

A few weeks ago I got a call from Grand Marais, Minnesota from a man I immediately liked. He said he was going to open a storefront and having seen my Greenstone Blog with the little Greenstones lined up on dop sticks, he thought I may be interested in selling some. He mentioned he had some very nice Thomsonite. I think we were on the same page, when I suggested we may be able to work out a barter; Greenstone for Thomsonite.

We met half way between his house and mine, in the Keweenaw. I looked through some very fine Thomsonite, while he looked through my Greenstone stash. I think we ended up with an equitable trade thus far. The trade is not complete as I need to get up to the North Shore and get more Thomsonte from him since he promised that there was lots more still at home. Who can carry all there rocks with them?

A selection or Thomsonite that are going to be cabbed and made into jewelry.

I recently cabbed the larger pieces, with great results. I even made a couple pendants from these gorgeous gemstones. These wild-eyed beauties of amazing pink are very popular. You know that Snob Appeal Jewelry specializes in Great Lakes rocks and minerals. Lake Superior Agates and Greenstones are our best sellers, followed by Thomsonite, Datolite, and Petoskey Stone jewelry, especially the rare Pink Petoskey.

Thomsonite is a copper-associated zeolite, and many of these gemstones sport little crystals of copper. Thomsonite is also found in the Keweenaw, but normally not with the dark eyes seen in North Shore stones. Both gemstones are highly coveted, scarce in good quality, and difficult to find and extract.

After cutting and wrapping the Thomsonite shown in the previous picture, I put them back near their same location in that picture.

If you look at the piece in the bottom left of the picture, you will notice a large “Feather” Thomsonite. This form shows no eyes and is comprised of tiny silky needles showing a chatoyancy, or sheen, that cannot be captured in a picture. If you ever get a chance to see one of these feathers, don’t pass it up. It is really amazing gem material.

The finished gemstones in the second picture were all cut in one day. I’ve been making cabochons for a lot of years, but I cannot remember a single day that my cutting has produced a more beautiful collection of gemstones. I had a smile on my face during the whole process.

Pink eyes are indicative of Thomsonite. Pink gold with gold or silver enhance this gemstone.

As I make Thomsonite Pendants from these stones, I discover even more beauty. It amazes me how no matter what color precious wire I use, the jewelry still looks fantastic. Two tone wire wraps of gold, silver, and pink gold show off these fantastic gemstones. I like to give them a little bling with an elegant top, but as always, I am careful not to distract from the amazing Thomsonite stone.

I am trying to get a few more pendants made, but I just had to take a break and show you the ones I made thus far. I think you will love them as much as I do.

Every Thomsonite lover looks for a dark eyed beauty. I expect this one to sell fast.

Every Thomsonite lover looks for a dark eyed beauty for their stone jewelry collection.