Honestly, sometimes when I am working in the jewelry studio I think I'm nuts. Why? You ask. Well, let's see; is it normal for a person to actual gasp when she sees a piece of pietersite? Does a sane person swoon over kyanite or labradorite? Does a woman with even a modicum of commonsense get giddy over a pile of rocks? Honestly, I'm not sure. But I do know this - what other people might see as just rocks, I see as opulent opaque gemstones in so many varieties that no one person has counted or seen them all.

I'm not quite sure what the draw is for me. I do marvel at the fact that many of these "rocks" are millions of years old. Millions - as in 35 to 50 million - and in my mind, that's amazing just in itself. Does my obsession with these stones have to do with the beautiful colors and patterns that are unique to each and every stone? Am I captured by the fact that these gemstones were created by the most talented of artists...Mother Nature herself? Is it the energy I feel when I touch them, hold them in my hands and work with them? They say the energy of the artist is passed through the stones - so maybe in some way I have the good fortune to touch Mother Nature when I work with them. To tell the truth, I don't think it is any one thing...I think it is all of these things that boggle the mind at times. When I hear someone jokingly say, "but Tanya, it's a pile of rocks" I cringe inside. It baffles me and then I wonder if I have rocks in my head!

Flourite & Aquamarine Sterling Necklace

Luckily, I don't have anyone in my circle that really feels that way - at least not that I know of; although I have heard it said in other circles. Luckily for me, I hear back from all of you about how much you love the piece, how smashingly beautiful the gemstones are, how you get a sense of calm when you wear it; and, honestly when I read or hear those things, my heart soars. To know that we share a love for something as basic as a rock and that we enjoy beautiful jewelry that captures its essence is a wonderful thing. I do know this - when I see a rock of any type, I treasure it. It is filled with life and all things that came before - so that is the least I can do. When I started using these opaque gemstones in my jewelry designs all those years ago - I'm not quite sure I understood the true meaning behind it all. Today, I do get it. I do understand and it warms my heart to be able to share that with all of you. It's my hope that you too will come to see opulent opaque gemstones and not just a pile of rocks. Oh, and of course, the beautiful jewelry that showcases the treasures that are truly gifts to us from Mother Nature.