Monday, January 13, 2014

Garnets - January's birthstone, and The Stone of Passion

Garnets, with their deep red hue, are the most popular gemstone we sell here at MaJe Gallery.

It's January as I write, and garnet is the birthstone for January.  This is a great time to consider treating yourself to a unique and beautiful piece of artisan jewelry to commemorate your birth!

We posted a few in the blog just before this, but have received several  new designs we'd like to share.

New earring design by Shari Both with garnets and gold-fill

SOLD! The beautiful earrings above are made by Seattle's Shari Both.  She used deep red faceted garnets, set off in gold-fill for a richness of tone.  She hand-made the wire feature herself, and used chain to create beauty of movement.  Enjoy free shipping!


Sterling silver and garnet necklace by Manya Vee
SOLD! Here we have a sterling silver necklace featuring a beautiful pendant with a garnet cabochon.  Garnets line the sides, intermixed with sterling chain.  It's a delicate and feminine necklace made by MaJe co-owner, Manya Vee.  Enjoy free shipping!


Garnet trio inside gold-fill oval, with fire opal accents
SOLD! Here's another pair of earrings by Shari Both, newly added to her collection for 2014.  A trio of faceted garnet briolettes cascades inside a hand-made gold fill wire oval.  Fire opal accents are above and below.  Gold fill ear wires.  Enjoy free shipping!

More beautiful and distinctive garnet jewelry awaits your pleasure with a visit to MaJe Gallery in downtown Edmonds, Washington!  Stop by to enjoy plenty of eye candy!

Jeff and Manya

MaJeGallery.com

Monday, January 6, 2014

Garnet - January's birthstone, and oh so much more!

Deep red garnets are one of the most popular stones we offer at MaJe Gallery.  The particular shade of red is very attractive, and can be worn with lots of other colors.  Red is a power color, so wearing it might bring out your inner Wonder Woman!

Garnet is also the birthstone for those born in the month of January.

As you can imagine, we have quite a variety of jewelry options for those seeking a distinctive piece of jewelry in honor of their birth month.  Of course, you don't have to be born in January to wear it!

Garnet, Pearl and gold fill, by Shari Both Jewelry Design

When garnet is surrounded by the warm tones of gold, it takes on a royal richness that is quite lush.  Above we see a unique pendant created by Shari Both in which she wired four garnet briolettes together to create a flower.  A creamy pearl wrapped in gold descends gracefully from that, and a special gold-fill chain adds the final touch.

I can see Queen Elizabeth wearing such a stunning piece as this!  Or perhaps Lady Mary from Downton Abbey, since she wears deep red so often.  Let's take a look at a ring that is also evocative of royalty...


Triple garnet ring, by master faceter Bill Booze
This triple garnet ring features a center rectangle shape flanked by two squares.  Each stone was hand-selected and faceted by the master, Bill Booze.  Even though they are bezel-set, there is still lots of life and color within the garnets, to sparkle and show off their intense hues.

Each stone is set in a 14k yellow gold bezel, and it's a sterling band.  This one-of-a-kind ring is absolutely stunning on the hand.  Simple and elegant, yet commanding.
  
Garnet pendant in sterling silver, by master faceter Bill Booze

options
Another example of the magic a master faceter can work on a high quality stone.  Bill Booze has been honing his faceting skills on quality gems for over 30 years.  He collects only the most beautiful stones, and they are in the rough.  He then uses techniques mastered over the years to bring out the best qualities in each stone, and make it sparkle beautifully.  This 3.5 carat garnet is a rich, deep red.  He set it in sterling to help keep the price more affordable than gold.  Isn't it gorgeous?  



Romantic garnet set by Manya Vee, in sterling

options
The set above is inspired by jewelry of the Victorian age, yet with a modern twist.  Various shapes of garnet are wired onto a delicate sterling chain.  Coordinating earrings complete it as an excellent set that will be worn for years.  Let it dress up your jeans, or pair it with a dress for special occasions.

Lots more options of garnet jewelry await your pleasure upon a visit to MaJe Gallery!  We hope you'll come by soon!

Jeff and Manya
Your Beauty Ambassadors

Have fun with us!