Saturday, March 01, 2008

Apatite...

Apatite used to be one of my favorite stones to work with, especially in the beautiful Caribbean blue-green shade seen here...but it is brittle, prone to breaking making it difficult to work with, and often filled with cracks & inclusions. Recently, my love for apatite was renewed when I came across a few strands of the finest apatite briolettes I had ever seen (shown below in the Cote d’Azur Earrings).

Apatite...

This apatite is AMAZING!

Nearly every gem on the strand is eye clean with beautiful even color...and because this apatite has virtually no cracks or inclusions, so far there has been no breakage! I acquired every strand I could find of this stunning stone, and I have a feeling its not going to last very long...this apatite will make an appearance in many, many of my pieces this spring & summer.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree... I love apatite, and the color is outstanding even on the gems with inclusions, but you are right, they are more delicate then and not as sparkling.

The apatite you have used here is beautiful and truly gem quality. I know, sometimes bead merchants use that term when they should not... tagging it onto gems that are included and cracked... but this, this apatite is truly gem quality.

Brandi Hussey said...

Oh, I just love these. Apatite is a gorgeous, gorgeous stone...

Just curious - have you moved off of Etsy?

Passementerie said...

Hi Brandi!

Yes, I have left Etsy. I primarily left because I had so many things going on with my studio move and I was so busy with my business that I had to cut something out so I could focus more attention on creating jewelry again. So, I decided to cut out Etsy and focus my energies on my own website and promoting my work elsewhere :)

I am moving my work towards a more *luxury* brand, and at this point, don't feel that Etsy fits with the image I have for my work... so, from now on I'm selling through my website (which is http://www.shoppassementerie.com ), by personal appointment and through stores.

Brandi Hussey said...

Oh, wow, that's fantastic!! I love your work, and can absolutely see how Etsy doesn't quite fit for you. Everything you do is so lush (and luxe!), that it makes sense to focus on a higher-end brand.

Have you set up a storefront down in Savannah?

terrain said...

Ooh, I have an appetite for apatite! And those are just stunning. What an amazing colour. I can't wait to see what else you do with it.

EricaBurnsDesigns said...

Hey Courtney! Remember me from DCCM? I see you moved to Savannah. Congrats on everything! Take care!

bencandance said...

Wow. Those are gorgeous!

Emilia Jane said...

I love this color combo!