Autumn-colored Gemstones for Your Fall Wardrobe

The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are already starting to turn... that's right, it's autumn! Any new season brings change, and fall lends itself to pumpkin-flavored food and drink, hot apple cider, sweaters and boots, and a color shift from brights to more muted, earthy colors in our wardrobes. Your accessories should reflect this too, and Rebecca's Rock 'n Gems has plenty of beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces to choose from. Rebecca hand-selects and mines each stone that ends up in her jewelry, so they are truly American-made! Keep reading to learn more about the unique gemstones she uses in her work.

Action and Focus - This lovely agate bracelet goes with everything. Brown is a fantastic neutral for fall, and can tie together many outfits with it's naturally warm coloring. Agate in particular has unique properties that can bring you strength and confidence in your life.

Bring on the Success in Business - Like the changing of the leaves from green to red, yellow, and orange, these citrine and peridot earrings have a one-of-a-kind beauty that can add to your ensemble. In addition, these stones are thought to bring success and abundance to your work life. What's not to love?

New Beginnings - New season, new beginnings. Peach moonstone inspires calm and inner peace, which are essential for undertaking new tasks. Plus, the beautiful orange hue is perfect for your fall wardrobe. Why not try it on with the matching earrings?

Courage, Honesty, and Loyalty - Greens and blues are beautiful at any time of year, but this stunning combination of blue kyanite and aquamarine contrast especially well with the warmer tones of autumn. Try out these earrings to promote courage, honesty, loyalty, and inner peace in your life.

Relieve Stress - The earthy hues of this pendant are perfect for fall. Enjoy the coloring and the stress-relieving benefits of unakite, a relative of jasper. This pendant is 2" long, so it makes a real statement when worn with any outfit.

Renew and Focus - Multicolored jasper stones make up the bulk of this earthy rainbow necklace. The large pendant is offset by smaller jasper beads of various colors for a truly wonderful effect. Why not try it with a muted ensemble to give it a little bit of flair?

Be sure to read more about Rebecca's story and the tales behind each of her creations on her website. Follow this blog to learn more about the process of creating jewelry and to see more of the beautiful things that Rebecca designs.

All About Birthstones

Most of us know our own birthstone, but can you name all twelve? Birthstones are believed to have originated from the breastplate of Aaron, a high priest during the time of Moses, as mentioned in the book of Exodus in the Bible. The breastplate boasted twelve different stones, which represented the twelve tribes of Israel. From the tale of this breastplate we derive the birthstones of today.

Fun Fact: The original twelve stones were said to be from the throne of God, and the high priest Aaron's breastplate was thought to be magical.

There is some variation in the stones associated with each month. Over time, different cultures have chosen different stones based on local availability, and some birthstone lists vary because they associate the stones with astrological signs, which do not keep to the borders of the months. Keep reading for a common variation of the birthstone list that is used in the USA.

Quartz necklace with garnet beads

January - Garnet
Garnet has been considered a protection stone by various peoples for centuries. It represents purification and love, and is associated with good health. Garnet has been used to improve body toxicity, cleanse vital organs, and remove negative energy from the chakras. The word garnet comes from the Latin word for seed, and it was named because of its resemblance to the pomegranate seed.





February - Amethyst
Amethyst is a great healing stone and natural tranquilizer. It promotes stress reduction and calm. Amethyst aids in dream interpretation, grief alleviation, and even hangover relief. Some may find increased wisdom after contact with the amethyst stone, and it has been associated with the wise king Solomon.

Fun Fact: The ancient Egyptians believed that wearing amethyst with peacock hairs and the features of a sparrow, you would be cured of gout and protected from sorcery. 

Amethyst earrings

March - Aquamarine
For sailors and other travelers of the sea, aquamarine is thought to be a very lucky stone. According to legend, it originated in the treasure troves of merpeople. Aquamarine brings courage and serenity to the wearer. It is a relatively recent addition to the birthstone list. In 1912, aquamarine replaced bloodstone as the March birthstone.

April - Diamond
Commonly associated with commitment and matrimony (which is one reason why it is the most common stone for an engagement ring), the diamond is also the hardest naturally occurring material on earth. Because of this, diamonds are thought to bring courage, strength, and victory to the wearer.

May - Emerald
Emeralds are associated with vitality, fertility, and clarity of vision in love and business. In Arthurian legend, Merlin wears an emerald ring for protection, and even now, the Irish associate the Emerald with their homeland, "the Emerald Isle."

Moonstone necklace

June - Moonstone
Moonstone comes in a variety of colors, and each one has its own unique properties. In general, however, moonstone is associated with calm and serenity. It is a stone of protection during pregnancy and childbirth, and can be used to stabilize hormones and alleviate the symptoms of menstruation.

July - Ruby
Much of the lore surrounding rubies comes from India and Hinduism. Rubies are thought to increase intuition, and they are associated with blood because of their color. They are thought to incite passion, both sensual and violent, so they should be used with caution.


Fun Fact: An old Hindu belief is that by offering a large ruby to Krisna, you will be reincarnated as an emperor in your next life. 

August - Peridot
Peridot straddles the line between light and darkness. If you find that your sleep is interrupted by demons or other terrors, then certainly seek out a peridot talisman. On the other hand, necromancers can draw power from this stone, so tread carefully.

September - Sapphire

Citrine earrings

Sapphires were historically used as healing stones for ailments of the eyes. They are thought to lend literal and spiritual vision to the wearer, and will lead him on the path to truth. Sapphires have been valued for centuries for their brilliant blue color, and they can bring balance to your life after a period of indecision.

October - Opal
According to legend, opals are fragments of a frozen rainbow petrified by a storm god. They are unique among birthstones in that they are actually associated with bad luck. Some cultures view them differently, and claim opals bring purity, hope, and honor.

November - Citrine
Joy and luck come to the wearers of citrine. Its color is bright and happy, and that translates to a stone that provides success in business matters. Citrine is a protection stone that removes bad or negative energies.

Turquoise necklace

December - Turquoise
For thousands of years, turquoise has been used as a talisman and healing stone. From Roman times through the medieval period, doctors would grind it up to use for eye problems and skin irritations. It is still viewed as a power stone among some native cultures in the Americas, and its color is associated with the sky.

To see more of Rebecca's works or to request custom designs, please visit her website today!

Website Refresh and Featured Jewelry Meanings

Big news! You may have seen that the Rebecca's Rock 'n Gems site has moved to a new platform: Volusion. This should make it easier for loyal customers and newcomers alike to shop and purchase their favorite items. We'd love to know what you think, so please take a look!

This month, we're taking a look at some of Rebecca's most unique creations. Each and every stone that Rebecca mines and refines into jewelry is believed to have certain properties. Whether you identify with crystal and gemstone meanings or not, you can certainly appreciate the beauty and design of these accessories. All of these and more are available for purchase.

Heal and Protect
These stunning chandelier earrings are made up of three separate stones: amethyst, charoite, and clear quartz. Amethyst promotes calm, balance, and peace. It is used in meditation to increase psychic power and can protect against psychic attacks. Charoite is considered a power stone that turns negative energies such as anger and fear into positive energies. Quartz channels energy and enhances thinking. It is also used in healing and protection.

Fun Fact: Quartz is the most common stone in the world and comes in a huge number of colors and varieties.

Boost and Balance Your Self-Confidence
The rhodochrosite in these dangle earrings brings self-confidence. It promotes a sense of realism and balance in life, and it will help resolve issues carried over from past lives. The sense of balance conveyed by rhodochrosite will lead to a sense of happiness and relief from stress.

Fun Fact: The Incas revered rhodochrosite because they believed it contained the blood of their kings and queens.

Inspire Creativity
Both the chrysoprase and the fluorite in this statement necklace are thought to boost creativity. In addition, chrysoprase promotes the ability to use that creativity, as well as hope and courage. Fluorite facilitates focus and clarity of mind, and it is said to enhance the power of other stones.

Fun Fact: Chrysoprase is thought to heal symptoms as varied as eye problems, fertility issues, and mental illness.

Bring Love [is] All Around
Rose quartz and garnet pair to bring love, joy, and hope into your life. Sometimes called the "love stone," rose quartz promotes all kinds of love, from romantic love to self-love. In addition to promoting love, garnet also is used for regeneration and reenergizing. Both of these stones promote self-confidence as well.

Fun Fact: Opaque garnets are sometimes utilized in manufacturing for anything from sandblasting to filtration to abrasives. 

Find Your Lucky Day 
If you're down on your luck, this bracelet made of green aventurine and ruby in zoisite is for you. Aventurine lore states that it brings prosperity and success to the wearer. Ruby in zoisite empowers psychic abilities and can heal from abuse or trauma.

Fun Fact: Aventurine is a type of glass used in glassblowing and lamp work and it has similar sparkles to what you find in the stone aventurine. 

Rebecca uses sterling silver clasps and backings for her jewelry, which is nickel-free and is generally wearable by most people with sensitive skin.

Be sure to read more about Rebecca's story and the tales behind each of her creations on her website. Follow this blog to learn more about the process of creating jewelry and to see more of the beautiful things that Rebecca designs.

Resource:
http://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/

4 Amazing Gemstone Mines

Mining trips were the main inspiration for Rebecca's Rock 'n Gems. For years, Rebecca has been going on mining trips with her mother, and over time, the trips evolved into a business. Each piece of jewelry that Rebecca creates is truly one-of-a-kind and has a unique story.

Below, you can learn more about some of the mines that Rebecca has visited. There are endless places to mine throughout the United States, and this is only a sampling. Rebecca has other trips planned for the future, so stay tuned for more recommendations.

Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine
Located at 6771 Sylva Road, Franklin NC 28734

Situated in southwestern North Carolina, Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine is one of the first mines that Rebecca and her mother went to together. This mine has free admission; you just pay for what you find. Although Cowee Mountain is primarily a ruby mine, they also have sapphires, emeralds, amethysts, citrine, and more.

Cowee Mountain offers cutting services, which are priced depending on the type of stone and number of carats. On their site, you can see some of the amazing finds, including rubies over 1000 carats.

Lucky Lake Gem and Mineral Mine of VA
Located at 4125 Harpers Road, McKenney VA 23872

One hour south of Richmond VA, Lucky Lake Gem and Mineral Mine is a frequent stop for Rebecca in her search for beautiful gems and stones. Lucky Lake also has free admission and charges depending on the pieces that you want to bring home. They offer group discounts when you have 15 or more people mining together.

Lucky Lake offers cutting services onsite, and licensed gemologists will examine your finds for free. One other unique feature is the flume mining experience, which washes the stones clean as they run down the line. This is handicap accessible and kid-friendly.

The Hogg Mine
Located at 2408 Whitesville Road, LaGrange GA 30240

Drive southwest from Atlanta for an hour, and you'll arrive at the Hogg Mine. They have specified dig dates each year, and you can also schedule a private dig for your group. Each dig day starts at 9am, when you will be driven to the mine from the meeting site. At Hogg mine, you can find stones such as beryl, star rose quartz, black tourmaline, and aquamarine.

Besides the scheduled dig days and private digs, the Hogg Mine also has machine digs days for a premium. Machine digs are days when commercial mining occurs and you can pay to sift through the fresh material yourself. This usually results in high quality pieces.

Poland Mining Camp
Located at 34 Groves Lane, Poland ME 04274

Forty-five minutes north of Portland, Maine is the Poland Mining Camp. Geared towards collectors and geologists alike, attendees get access to various pegmatite quarries. The main season runs from Memorial Day to the end of September, but they can sometimes accommodate other times if given advance notice.

The camps last either 3 or 7 days. They are all-inclusive with lodging and 3 meals a day included. They are a great way to learn about mining or to improve your knowledge and skills.

Be sure to read more about Rebecca's story and the tales behind each of her creations on her website. Follow this blog to learn more about the process of creating jewelry and to see more of the beautiful things that Rebecca designs.

Creating Memories for Memorial Day

Memorial Day represents different things to different people. For most of us, it is a time to remember and acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice given by our military and armed forces to protect our freedoms. What does that have to do with making beautiful handmade jewelry? Honestly, not a lot, other than the fact that it's a blessing to live in a place where that is possible to do.

Fun Fact: Memorial Day was originally called "Decoration Day," as it was the day when citizens would close up their businesses and lay flowers and other decorations on the graves of fallen soldiers. 

In honor of Memorial Day, Rebecca has created a special bracelet named simply "Patriotic." This unique piece is composed of three types of stones in red, white, and blue: Garnet, Mother of Pearl, and Sodalite, respectively. Each stone has unique characteristics. Garnet, a deep red stone, will bring you confidence in yourself, the pure white Mother of Pearl promotes positivity, and rich blue Sodalite encourages intelligence and communication. The bracelet is almost 8 inches long and 1/4 inches wide.

Fun Fact: Memorial Day is based on community remembrance events that began as early as 1866 to honor the thousands of soldiers who died in the Civil War. 

Rebecca produces these pieces one-by-one, finding the perfect stones in each mine she visits and honing them into the stunning jewelry you find on her online store. If "Patriotic" isn't your style, she has many other pieces available in necklaces, earrings, pendants, and more. Here are some other pieces you may enjoy:

Sodalite is featured again in these stunning earrings. They could make a beautiful match with the "Patriotic" bracelet, or be paired with numerous other jewelry pieces and outfits. The bright blue color shines against oranges and yellows especially. The earrings are about 1 inch long and they are mounted on sterling silver lever backs.

This third featured piece is composed of garnets and rose quartz. The garnets form part of the chain, and bring confidence while the rose quartz is thought to represent love. The rose quartz was mined in Franklin, North Carolina at Cowee Mountain Mine and it is hung on a 19-inch sterling silver chain. The pendant measures 1-3/4 inches by 1-1/4 inches.

Fun Fact: In 1968, Memorial day was set as the last Monday of May to give a 3-day weekend to federal employees and finally made a federal holiday.

If you are lucky enough to have a three-day weekend coming up, it's not a bad idea to take some time to appreciate the sacrifice of our fallen heroes. In between the shopping sales and the (hopefully) outdoor barbecues, it is always great to remember how blessed we are. There are several events throughout Northern Virginia to attend, including of course the memorial services at Arlington National Cemetery.

Whether you want to request a matching piece to something you love on Rebecca's online store, or you want something completely custom, do not hesitate to contact Rebecca with your requests. She loves to create and will work with you in finding the right elements to design your perfect jewelry piece.

Be sure to read more about Rebecca's story and the tales behind each of her creations on her website. Follow this blog to learn more about the process of creating jewelry and to see more of the beautiful things that Rebecca designs.

Resources:
History.com

New Beginnings

Everyone loves a fresh start. For Rebecca, that means taking her love of mining and jewelry design and translating it into Rebecca's Rock 'n Gems. For fifteen years, she and her mother have been traveling to various mines in Virginia and North Carolina to seek the best rocks, stones, and gems for their hobby of jewelry design.

Along the way, Rebecca has learned how to craft stunning pieces from raw gemstones, and now she gets to share her passion with you. From moonstones to charoite to aventurine, you will find a variety of beautiful jewelry pieces in her store, and each has its own unique story to tell. Since 2011, Rebecca has been designing these one-of-a-kind items for her clients, and only hopes to continue growing and expanding her business in the future.

You can find out more about Rebecca and her vision here.

The peach moonstone is especially relevant for a first post. Beyond the creamy orange color, there is a deeper significance to these beautiful stones. Whether you are seeking to build your confidence, lose weight, have a baby, or any other major undertaking, peach moonstone can help you along in your "new beginning."

Historically, moonstone is associated with the Roman goddess Diana. It was thought that you could see the goddess of the moon in this unique stone, and she would grant you wisdom, love, and good luck in your undertakings. Giving a lover a moonstone necklace during the full moon was also believed to give the couple lasting passion for one another.

Fun fact: The moonstone had fallen out of common use until the Art Nouveau period (1890-1910), when René Lalique revived its popularity by incorporating it into his designs. 

Rebecca's Rock 'n Gems peach moonstone jewelry can be purchased together or separately. The stones for these items came from Lucky Lake in Mckenney, Virginia. Rebecca mined them herself and worked with a gemologist to get them cut just right for her valued customers.

The "New Beginnings" necklace features the peach moonstone prominently. The 3/4-inch pendant hangs from a 22-inch sterling silver chain. This elegant piece can be worn in formal or causal settings, ideally paired with earrings.

Moonstone is actually composed of two types of feldspar, orthoclase and albite. These two materials grow together in layers, which creates the pearl-like sheen, or schiller effect of moonstone.

Fun fact: The moonstone is the state stone of Florida.

To continue the matching set, the "New Beginnings" earrings drop from a lever back clasp on a delicate sterling silver chain. These can be a fun way to dress up an everyday outfit. 

Other properties of the moonstone delve into the spiritual world. Wearing or holding a moonstone is thought to open up the mind to increase intuition and unlock psychic gifts. It helps to attract the things you need in life and allows you to recognize and acknowledge them, rather than pushing them away.

Fun Fact: In the middle ages, moonstones were used to look into the future.

Orange is often associated with enthusiasm, creativity, and determination. It is believed that orange promotes oxygen supply to the brain and increases mental activity, which is important for a new project of any kind. 

Last but not least, the "New Beginnings" ring is set in sterling silver to complete the group. The setting gently hugs the exquisite peach moonstone in place. 

Rebecca is always crafting beautiful new items for sale. Click here to see her store, or simply contact her directly.

Resources: 

Originstones.com

Color-wheel-pro.com