Happy New Year! Something about this season is always so exciting for me. I love the idea of a fresh start. The energy I've put into planning for 2017 feels so good! In the studio are lots of drawings for new jewelry designs that include gemstones. Even Pantone's Color of the Year "Greenery" seems to be focused on a fresh beginning. The shade is found in newly emerging foliage and one of my favorite gemstones, Peridot!
About Peridot, did you know that over 80% of the crystals mined for jewelry come from Arizona? This beautiful gem is mined in an area called Peridot Mesa on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Also known as Olivine, Peridot comes in shades of brown, deep olive and the bright grassy green that is my favorite hue. This is truly an American original gem. Another source for Peridot is outer space, found in large meteors. This variety is rare and large sizes even more rase as the material is often damaged with lots of cracks from impact. The celestial variety is called Pallaside Peridot. Both types of the gem will be making it into new jewelry designs in my collection soon!
In the natural daylight of my studio I took this snap shot of Arizona Peridot and Pallaside Peridot paired with some beautiful Lapis. From the deep flawless natural blue pear shapes to the round cabochon with sparkling pyrite inclusions, these colors look stunning together! The six 3mm faceted trillion cuts at the top o f the image are the Pallaside of meteor origin. Their color is a slightly more golden hue the the Arizona gems.
This group of geometric and architectural stacking rings includes Peridot set in 14k gold and silver from my Metropolis Collection.
More information about Arizona Peridot can be found with this link:
https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/gemstones/sp14-95/peridot.html
I want to help you with a gift of joyful surprise and ear to ear smiles!
This year you can't go wrong with hoop earrings. My collection includes designs in Silver, Gold, and these metals in combination. You can choose shiny and bright or my personal favorites in Black Silver and Gold. I even have a pair of hoops for the pearl lover!
While the pressure is on to find the perfect gift - you can relax here because your gift of Gina Pankowski Jewelry can be exchanged for another item or online store credit through January 31st, 2017.
The final date for custom and made to order jewelry delivered free by Christmas Eve is December 10, 2016.
You have found something truly unique for your gift this year!
Concern for the environment has always been a part of my life. Ten years ago a huge tree (over 140ft tall) fell on our house during a storm. We were faced with a major remodel of our 1927 home. Our goal was to use materials and upgrade systems in a way that would help us conserve resources and make lasting changes to reduce our impact on the environment we live in. We installed a rainwater collection system that is plumbed through our house for washing laundry, flushing toilets, and connected to all outdoor faucets for watering the garden. We have wet winters in Seattle, also some very dry summer months when my vegetable garden is growing at its peak. We chose to install a roof made from recycled tires that will not need replacing in our lifetime.
This photo shows a custom 18k rose gold alloy created using a clients gold jewelry. Pictured right to left are my metal rolling mill, an ingot of gold, the beginning of hand pulled wire and a sheet of gold.
In my jewelry business I recycle and reuse metals and gems whenever possible. Learning to recycle and refine gold and silver was part of my core education. As a student I collected sterling silver flatware, and gold jewelry from estate sales and thrift shops to use in my work. The metals a jeweler works with are limited resources. I save every shaving and dust particle and refine it. In my studio I melt down my own scrap metal to create wire and sheet metal. When additional sterling silver and gold are needed I buy from suppliers who can certify their metals to be 100% recycled. Taking these steps helps to curb consumption and reduce environmental impact through the supply chain.
This picture shows a collection tray with sterling silver at one of my work benches.
Learning to conserve, reuse and restore is a process. I believe that every individual can take small steps that will lead to significant change. Your choices can be as simple as taking your own cup for your morning coffee stop. And supporting businesses in your community, large and small, that take steps to reduce their environmental impact and initiate change.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.
Privacy Policy
Legal Disclaimer
Copyright © 2024 Gina Pankowski. All Rights Reserved. Design by 
