Gemstones can be sensitive to light. Amethyst and topaz for example, can fade in color when exposed to sunlight. Pearls can become dry and brittle when subjected to extreme heat and light. It’s best to leave your gemstone jewelry at home when you are headed out for a beach day.
The chemicals in sunscreen are hard on jewelry. They may dull the finish of metal, or even cause discoloration of certain gemstones. Plus, any kind of lotion can build up on your jewelry causing gemstones to look dull and dirty.
Always remove your jewelry before applying sunscreen. Once the lotion has dried, you can put your jewels back on.
If you do happen to get sunscreen on your jewels, clean them up using warm water and gentle soap, and then rinse them well.
Saltwater and chlorine can eat away at the metal in your jewelry, causing it to look dull. Over time, this can even cause the metals in your jewelry to become more brittle and fragile.
Additionally, many gemstones can be adversely affected by saltwater and chlorine. For example, porous gemstones like opal can become discolored when exposed to chemicals. Color-treated gemstones like topaz are sensitive as well. I once had a client wear a blue topaz ring in a hot, salt-water spa, which caused the color of the topaz to fade.
And lastly, you wouldn’t want to lose any of your jewelry in the ocean. Say you are at the beach and want to jump into the ocean for a quick dip. That cold water can make your fingers shrink and your rings to loosen. If that precious ring falls off in the ocean it is gone forever, and we don't want that.
Go ahead and invest in a jewelry travel case for your next vacation. That way you can keep your jewels organized and safe. When packing, keep individual pieces of jewelry from touching one another. That will keep harder metals from abrading softer alloys, or a harder gemstone scratching a softer one.
Wishing you (and your jewels) a wonderful summer!
Thanks for reading.
~ Claire
]]>But…
I totally get it.
If you find yourself hesitating to pull the trigger on an online jewelry purchase, this may be why.
Yes you can read a product description and see that an earring has a 1 ¼” drop or that a gemstone is 10mm wide, but can you really visualize that size accurately?
But if you get out a ruler, you can quickly see exactly how big a 10mm gemstone is.
So maybe you like dainty earrings… Or maybe you have never bet a huge gemstone you didn’t like…
If you reference a ruler to help you understand the size of your online jewelry purchase, it will help you stay true to your style and find your perfect piece. ✨
Thanks for reading!
~ Claire
The accurate name of green amethyst is prasiolite (pronounced "PRAYS-ee-oh-light”).
Prasiolite is a yellow-green variety of quartz. Most prasiolite is produced by heating natural amethyst, which changes the color of the amethyst from purple to green.
In fact, natural prasiolite is extremely rare. One occurrence of natural prasiolite is in California, and was formed when amethyst was exposed to lava flow. The lava heated the amethyst, and converted it into prasiolite.
So, you can see why people call prasiolite “green amethyst”. Amethyst by definition is a purple stone, so it really doesn’t make sense to call prasiolite “green amethyst”, but for better or worse, the name seems to have stuck.
No matter the name though, in my opinion, it’s a gorgeous stone. Here are some of my favorite green amethyst pieces:
Thanks for reading!
~ Claire
]]>There are several ways to protect a gem from heat. For example, you can submerge the portion of the piece that contains the gem in water, or coat the gem in one of the many heat protective gels or pastes that are created for this task.
Recently a client asked me to add sizing beads to a blue topaz and gold ring I made for her. This beauty right here:
Sizing beads are small metal knobs added to the inside of a ring shank to to help counter-balance top-heavy rings.
To add the sizing beads, I needed to solder on the ring, which is tricky because of the topaz.
I decided that the safest way to solder the sizing beads on the ring would be to contain the gem in a potato. The potato would act as a heat sink, protecting the gem from the heat, allowing me to safely solder the sizing rings onto the exposed ring shank.
I cut the potato in half and hollowed out some space for the ring. I then enclosed the ring in the potato and wrapped it with binding wire to secure. I filled in any gaps in the seam between the two potato slices with excess potato bits, the point being to ensure the top half of the ring was fully protected.
Here’s what it looked like:
I was then able to solder on the sizing beads, working as quickly as possible with a very hot flame.
After soldering I let the setup sit for a while to cool, and then removed the ring from the potato to get it all cleaned up and polished.
Then I had had roasted potato for a snack.
Thanks for reading!
~Claire
]]>The past couple of months of quarantine have marked the longest break I have had from making jewelry since I started back in 2007. Now that restrictions have begun to lift in NC, I’m going back to studio to make jewelry again. Stay tuned because there is a lot of new work to come.
]]>I'll be honest, the break was nice. I enjoyed the time away, frankly more than I expected. I definitely missed going to my studio, but I enjoyed being able to focus on painting for a while. It was a nice change of pace.
I’m still not keeping the same hours at studio that I was prior to quarantine. My time at studio is focused on making only. I’m keeping administrative and all other business related work at home in order to stay as safe as possible. (We all have to get back to life in a way that we are comfortable with right?)
And while my hours in studio are more limited, it feels great to be back at the bench again a few hours a day. It's like seeing an old friend!
I don’t answer emails, sketch, post on social media, or do any of the other things that I used to do while at studio. All of that work is taken care of at home at another time.
So stay tuned because there is a lot of new jewelry to come. I had actually purchased quite a few new gemstones to work with prior to the shut down, and am having a great time creating with them. Watch out y'all, I'm back at it and having fun!
XO,
Claire
]]>I loved creating small wearable sculptures with shining gemstones. In fact, I was so focused on my jewelry practice that I hardly made any two-dimensional art for the better part of a decade.
In the past year, a familiar feeling has been creeping up on me- the desire to sketch and paint. I’ve felt the need to reconnect with what first made me identify as an artist in the beginning.
It has challenged me in ways that metalsmithing does not, and forced me to flex different creative muscles.
We are living in a strange, new, anxiety-inducing reality. We have hit pause on our normal daily routines to instead stay home, in hopes that our efforts will “flatten the curve”.
For me, that means not going to studio- where all of my jewelry making equipment is housed. Instead, I have brought my painting supplies home. My breakfast nook has become my small, makeshift home studio. My porch has become a place where wet paintings dry.
Stay healthy and thanks for reading.
~Claire
]]>Aquamarine is a color variety of the mineral beryl and can be found on most continents. These gems are blue or slightly greenish-blue, and the finest specimens are clear “as water” and transparent.
Aquamarine’s name comes from the Latin for seawater. Ancient Romans believed that aquamarine would protect against any dangers while traveling at sea, and that it provided energy and cured laziness.
Thanks for reading!
~Claire
]]>One of the best parts of my job is going to shows and meeting new people. When folks visit my booth and see my business name, Emily Claire, the first thing they usually ask is, “Are you Emily?”
The answer is, yes, but I go by Claire. I am one of those people who goes by their middle name.
]]>It’s a little unusual, and I’ve heard that it is more common in the South.
Some people think that I choose to go by Claire, but actually my parents made that decision for me. I have been Claire since day one!
See, Mom and Dad wanted to name me Claire. They also wanted to name me after my paternal grandmother, Emily. They thought that Emily Claire sounded better than Claire Emily, so that was that.
When it came time for me to choose a name for my business I thought a lot about it. “Claire Jacobs Jewelry” and “Claire Jacobs Designs” were two contenders, but at the end of the day, I really liked Emily Claire.
In fact, despite my social media handles (@emilyclairejewelry) and my website URL (emilylclairedesigns.com) the name of my business is simply Emily Claire. There is no “designs” or “jewelry” in the name. After all, I’m an entrepreneur right? I didn’t want to limit myself by having an overly descriptive word in my business name, just in case I decided to change my plan for world domination and engineer a yoga top that actually doesn’t ride up when you are in downward dog. (Really, please someone needs to do that!)
Sometimes my business name confuses people. They aren’t sure whether to call me Emily or Claire. I totally understand, and I’ll answer to Emily as well. Still as you get to know me and stay in touch (which I hope you do), you will come to know me as your friendly neighborhood jeweler, Claire.
~ Claire
]]>We all lead busy lives right? It can be hard to remember to take off your necklace before doing this or your ring before doing that. Especially when you are running full steam ahead juggling work, family, and friends.
Lucky for you, I’m here to remind you to slow down and take some extra care with your special jewels. They will be much happier in the long run!
]]>I’m not talking about methods to clean your jewelry (although that is super important), but rather day-to-day activities that wear heavily on your jewelry.
We all lead busy lives right? It can be hard to remember to take off your necklace before doing this or your ring before doing that. Especially when you are running full steam ahead juggling work, family, and friends.
Lucky for you, I’m here to remind you to slow down and take some extra care with your special jewels. They will be much happier in the long run!
There you are, all dressed up and ready to go out for a night on the town. You just need one more hit with the hair spray to make sure your style holds all night. Just like that your diamond earrings are covered with a coat of hairspray, dulling the brilliant shine of the stone.
I have seen so many women with hand cream gooped up around their wedding rings, making them look dirty and dull.
Also, keep in mind that there are chemicals in many beauty products that could damage certain gemstones. Opals, for instance, are porous and exposing them to chemicals can increase the risk of cracking and discoloration. Remember to take off your opal necklace when spraying on your favorite perfume!
What I just said about opals applies here too.
Also remember to take off your rings when you are washing the dinner dishes every night. You may be using a mild, organic dish soap, but you will still be banging around your pots, pans, and plates. You could potentially crack a stone, loosen a setting, or even worse, knock a stone out of a setting. No one wants to be feeling their way through dirty dishwater trying to fish out a tiny gemstone.
This is sort of a no-brainer. Who want’s to sleep in earrings? So uncomfortable!
However, I know there are those of you out there who never take off their wedding rings. Your marriage is forever and so are your rings.
This will keep you from scratching your hubby when you snuggle, and from inadvertently snagging your stone setting on linens during the night.
Also, taking off your rings helps your skin on that ring finger. Ever heard of contact dermatitis? It can be caused by an allergy to metal, but also by the buildup of moisture or products like soap under the ring.
But wait, you say, what about my engagement ring? Diamonds are the hardest gemstone.
Yes, they are, but that doesn’t mean they are invincible. They can crack and chip. So can those tiny prongs that hold diamonds so delicately in place.
Anyone’s hands swell when working out? I know mine do! It is super uncomfortable to have on a ring when your fingers swell.
The reverse is also a problem.
Say you are at the beach and want to jump into the ocean for a quick dip. That cold water can make your fingers shrink and your rings to loosen. If that precious ring falls off in the ocean it is gone forever.
Well that sounds lovely, but don’t forget about the chlorine. It’s not great for jewelry, because as I’ve said, chemicals can damage gemstones.
I once had a client wear a blue topaz ring in a hot, salt-water spa. Did you know that when exposed to concentrated heat for a period of time, certain topaz gems can loose their color? Guess what happened to that client’s ring? The blue color of the topaz started to fade to white because it had basically been submerged in a bath of hot chemicals.
Soap scum builds up in your shower and will build up on your jewelry too. Not only is this kind of gross, but it will deteriorate your jewelry over time.
Additionally, the last thing you want is to be lathering up your hair, and accidentally pull your diamond stud out of your ear only to watch in horror as it goes down the drain. Worst. Nightmare.
_________
So there you go!
Thanks for reading!
~Claire
]]>Moonstone has been used in jewelry for millennia. Ever heard of Pliny the Elder? It’s the name of one of the best beers you can drink, an IPA from Russian River Brewing Company in California. Trust me, it’s great.
But I digress…
Pliny the Elder is also the name of Roman philosopher and naturalist born in AD 23. Pliny coined the name moonstone, because he believed the stone’s shimmery appearance shifted with the phases of the moon.
In Hindu mythology moonstone was said to be made from the moon’s ethereal light. Romans admired moonstone because it was created by solidified moonbeams, and both Greeks and Romans associated moonstone with lunar deities.
Moonstone is aligned with lunar magic and has a calming, balancing energy. It can supposedly tune into natural biological rhythms and help with fertility. Also know as the Traveler’s Stone, it is believed to protect travelers at night and also encourage restful sleep.
Moonstone is feldspar, with a pearly, opalescent luster. Deposits can be found in Armenia, Australia, Austria, Mexico, Madagascar, Myanmar, Norway, Poland, India, Switzerland, and the United States. The finest moonstones, transparent with a blue shimmer (swoon!), come from Sri Lanka.
Moonstone is a 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale- a scale from 1-10 measuring mineral hardness (for reference, diamonds are a 10). It should be handled with care in jewelry, as it is relatively soft and prone to stress cracks.
Be especially mindful of moonstone set in rings or bracelets, because those pieces tend to endure more daily wear and tear than necklaces or earrings.
In 1970 moonstone became the state gemstone of Florida to commemorate the moon landings, which took off from Kennedy Space Center.
~ Claire
]]>I celebrated 10 years in business this past March. Through it all, I have come to understand that there is one thing in my business that is more important than all the rest. YOU! You lovely people who cheer me on, believe in me, follow me as my work evolves, and love jewelry. You keep me going and you inspire me. Thank you!
]]>In fact, my 10th business anniversary passed without my noticing. I can’t believe it, but March came and went and in the shuffle of it all, I never even thought about it. I should have been celebrating and shouting it from the rooftops! Staying true to yourself and working for your dream for a solid 10 years is noteworthy.
Yet you probably know that making a big deal out of things like this is not really my style anyway.
It has been 10 years since I sat on the green couch in my parent’s living room and told them that I wanted to be a jewelry designer. 10 years since I formed my LLC and setup my first studio in my parent’s basement.
Since then, I have lived in three North Carolina cities, Gastonia (okay, Gastonia is more of a town), Raleigh, and Charlotte. I’ve had 5 different studio spaces, including that first basement one. My current space in South End, Charlotte is my favorite!
My jewelry business has taken me to New York, Georgia, Maryland, Florida, South Carolina, Arizona, and Florence, Italy. (A little teaser, in a couple of months I'll add Tennessee to the list.)
I have experimented with designs and techniques, trying to keep my work new and fresh. Some ideas were hits, others not so much. There have been times my creativity was in overdrive, and other times I couldn’t think of a new idea to save my life.
There have been times of abundance, and times of scarcity. Moments of bliss and satisfaction, and moments of tears and frustration. Many times I seriously doubted if I had "what it takes" to be an entrepreneur, but kept pushing anyway.
In the early years I had other jobs so I could support myself while building my business. In the later years there were times I wished I had another job, because it seemed "so much easier" than the path I had chosen.
Then there were the times that kept me centered. The moment I finished a piece of jewelry and thought "damn that's good". Or when a customer tried on a ring and it fit perfectly, like it was meant to be. Those are the times I loved the most! Those were the times made everything worthwhile and filled my heart with joy.
I feel so grateful for these last 10 years. Grateful that I get to pursue my passion and share my creativity with the world.
Then there is the part of my business I am most grateful for.
Yes, you! You lovely people who cheer me on, believe in me, follow me as my work evolves, and love jewelry.
I make jewelry for you! So you can feel beautiful, confident and special. So you can feel unique and shine your brightest.
You make me feel good about what I’m putting out into the world. You make me feel that my creativity has value.
I’m looking forward to the next 10!
Thanks for reading!
~ Claire
]]>
I say that it’s a gem show, but what I really mean is that it’s many gem shows. Many, many, many gem shows. Friends had told me that it was huge, but I really didn’t understand until I got there. It was massive! There were literally gem shows all over town… in convention centers, warehouses, hotels… even parking lots. Who knew that the Howard Johnson would host a gem show? Not me. Vendors were selling out of their motel rooms and had setup huge tents all over the grounds!
Then there was the variety of gems available to purchase. Vendors had everything from the finest diamonds, to lovely semi-precious rose cuts, to huge mineral specimens that were taller than me (forklift required). There were strands and strands of South Sea pearls, sapphires in every shade of blue, and massive piles of raw gemstones.
As you can imagine, it was quite easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer volume of vendors. Luckily, I went to the show with several jeweler friends who attend the show every year. They were able to give me the scoop on the best places to go. Plus it was fun putting my feet up and having a glass of wine with my gals after a very long day of shopping! And of course, we had to have show-and-tell every night to see all the wonderful stones each of us had found.
Want to know the best part? I found sooooo many beautiful gemstones. I came back with the most lovely treasures- unique shapes and cuts, rich soft colors, and druzy. I bought so much druzy. I could not get enough of those sugary sparkles!
When I first moved to the area, I setup my studio in Belmont, NC, just outside of Charlotte. After just 3 months, I got a call that a space in my dream studio had opened up, and I just had to take it. So, this August I moved my studio again, to Dilworth Artist Station in South End Charlotte.
I am beyond thrilled to be in this location and am so in love with my new space. I hope it will be my home for many years to come. Here are a few images of my new studio:
If you are in the Charlotte area and would like to stop by, let me know. I always love having visitors!
Thanks for reading!
~Claire
]]>I was recently asked to design a necklace in honor of Libby to help raise money for cancer research. I set to work to create three versions of the pinwheel necklace, sterling silver, yellow gold, and rose gold, all with a tiny pink tourmaline in the center. I absolutely love how they turned out, and hope you will too.
]]>I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. I am amazed at the bravery of Barb and Josh as they continue to live their lives and raise their family, while dealing with the loss of their dear Libby. Barb is a beautiful writer, and describes this journey on her blog, Cheek to Cheek.
Recently Barb asked me to design a necklace in honor of Libby to help raise money for cancer research. I was so flattered and excited, and readily agreed!
Barb had the idea of creating a dainty pinwheel necklace. During Libby's illness, Barb and Josh would "pinwheel" friends around town by putting big pink pinwheels in yards. As Libby could not be exposed to other kids or germs, this was one activity she found fun! The pinwheels became a symbol for Libby and a reminder of her sweet spirit. Barb and Josh always have them their yard and as they watch them them twirling in the wind, feel she is near.
I set to work to create three versions of the pinwheel necklace, sterling silver, yellow gold, and rose gold, all with a tiny pink tourmaline in the center. I absolutely love how they turned out, and hope you will too.
I was truly honored to created this necklace as a tribute to Libby. Proceeds of purchases of the Libby Necklace will benefit Team LibStrong/Drew's Crew for 24 Hours of Booty, a fantastic cancer fundraising event in Charlotte that raises funds for Levine Cancer Institute, Levine Children’s Hospital, LIVESTRONG Foundation, and Keep Pounding Foundation and Queen’s University.
Thanks for reading!
~Claire
]]>It's hard to believe, but this March marks 9 years since I founded Emily Claire LLC. The time has gone by in the blink of an eye! Having a jewelry business has brought so many great things to my life. I have learned so much, not just about my craft, but also about business. I've traveled and had wonderful adventures. Best of all, I have met amazing people.
It has been a wonderful journey and I'm so grateful for my clients, family, and friends who have supported me along the way. I can't wait for the next nine years!
Thanks for reading!
~Claire