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Natural Beauties
It is the nature of man to create, to improve, to invent and to beautify. This is most true in the jewelry world. For hundreds of years people have found gemstones, diamonds, gold and silver in their natural states and transformed them into art to adorn their bodies, homes, and clothing. "Raw" stones are cut to allow the best light refraction for the most brilliance. Precious metals are mixed with alloys to make stronger, more durable pieces. Man has his hands in just about every area of the jewelry market, but there are some designers who prefer to take the "raw", natural, or free-form pieces and create jewelry based on the way the organic material looks in it's natural state, using nature to make the man's work more beautiful, not man to make nature's work more beautiful.
When someone says, "Nice rock" they are usually referring to a diamond, but in this designer's case, she is actually using rocks - ordinary looking to the untrained eye, these tiny treasures hold a world of sparkle inside. Nina Nguyen bases her designs on the natural beauty of geodes, stalactites, and ammonites, forming organic art pieces as different from each other as a finger print. The 22 karat gold vermeil nicely (and naturally) accents the purity of the piece (24 Karat being pure gold).
Every little girl has made a piece of jewelry out of flowers - a ring from a dandelion, a necklace of clover, unfortunately these pieces only last as long as cut flowers. Michael Michaud has simply replicated natures' workmanship into simple, beautiful, wearable pieces. By creating his molds directly from botanical elements, he preserves the original detail and beauty of natures work in his silver and bronze cast pieces. Pearls and gemstones are added to the pieces to represent flower petals and berries, enhancing the organic beauty of his works of art.
Galatea is an extensive jewelry line with several different themes. Their Galatea Pearl collection uses a patented technique to produce amazing pieces from the only gemstone enucleated pearl in the world. Oysters are simple, yet amazing creatures, producing one of the only naturally "jewelry-ready" pieces known to the industry. Pearls are naturally lustrous and conducive to jewelry use, not needing cutting or polishing to shine. Usually in pearl farming, a piece of mantle tissue from a donor oyster is implanted along with a mother of pearl bead to be the mold, or nucleus around which the pearl forms.
Galatea has had laws changed to enable implantation of a turquoise bead as the nucleus. Over many months (sometimes up to two years), the oyster coats this irritant with layers of nacre (or pearl) creating a pearl bead with a turquoise nucleus. The pearl is then carved to reveal the colorful center, creating these intriguing centerpieces for their jewelry. See their educational video here.
We can be sure than man will continue to innovate, modify and conform nature to meet his needs, but in the future, we can also expect to see more "back to basics" natural beauty, and an increasing appreciation for the work that nature does all on it's own.
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 From the Family
As many of you know, we lost our dear Hattie, the third of the six Ketterman daughters, on April 10th. We would like to thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers, but even more so for supporting our business so that we can provide for our family. Hattie started working in the store in high-school and intended to eventually run the business with sisters Katie and Richi. Her passion for making people smile and desire for others to enjoy life to the fullest made her an ideal employee in customer service. Because of your support, Hattie was able to enjoy her lovely work family - our Ketterman's staff- and to participate in buying trips - often disguised as fun family get-aways, over the years. She was able to have health insurance through the six years of her cancer battle, and between the doctor's visits, treatments and surgeries, was able to maintain a bit of normalcy in having a place to work. Her dream was cut short by cancer, but the family still intends to serve in the way Hattie always did, selflessly and fully committed to making our customers happy. Be Blessed, you have truly been a blessing. The Kettermans |
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Feature
Product
-Marahlago-
Coming soon to Ketterman's 
Marahlago is a sterling silver jewelry line featuring larimar, a volcanic stone found in only one square mile of the Dominican rainforest. This aquatic blue stone was formally discovered in 1974 by a local artisan and named after his daughter (Larissa) and the Spanish word for sea (mar).
Marah Lago is a second generation artist. Her mother, a famous painter, made sure to give her a childhood filled with creativity, exposing her to a world of imagination where every mentor was a notable fine artist. Mara's rich childhood led to her become the leading larimar designer she is today.
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Fun Fact...
DID YOU KNOW?
Larimar miners can spend months looking for the blue veins running up to 300 feet below the volcanic island's surface.
The beautiful blue stone gets it's color from copper ions found in it's chemical makeup.
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Ketterman's
Savings Club
Did you make your payment this month?
Build a credit towards anything in the store.
Stop by for details .
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-May First Fruits-
Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice
"Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God." Exodus 23:19
On Wednesday, May 1, Kettermans will contribute 10% of receipts to Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice - Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter. Thanks for your support of our business and the surrounding community.
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Upcoming Events
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Wednesday, May 1
First Fruits - Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice - LAWS
10% of the day's receipts will go to Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice - Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter. See what they do here.
Brighton "Ears to You" Gift With Purchase
Purchase any Brighton bracelet and necklace and get any pair of Brighton earrings FREE!
*Limited to stock on hand - single, same day purchases only - excludes charms and charm carriers.
Now - Saturday, May 11, or while supplies last
PANDORA Mother's Day Gift Set and "Bear My Heart" Charm
For just $200, the Mother's Day gift set features one sterling silver Pandora clasp bracelet, two "Beveled" clips, one "Mom" charm, and a charm of your choice valued up to $35 with a limited edition travel jewelry case (a retail value of $250). The limited edition "Bear My Heart" charm will also be available for $75.
Now - May 11, or while supplies last
Kameleon Mother's Day Gift Set
A $129 value for only $89. This custom boxed set includes a new release sterling silver heart pendant, the limited edition 2013 Mother's Day JewelPop, the African Violet JewelPop, and a special edition Mother's Day compact. She'll love it...almost as much as she loves you.
Friday, May 3 - Saturday, May 4
Kameleon Mother's Day Trunk Show
Show mom how many different ways you love her with different looks for every day of the week. We will have extra Kameleon stock on hand, plus special games and gifts for our guests.
Saturday, May 4
Brighton at Ketterman's Best Mom Breakfast
See Ketterman's Brighton Page for details.
Tuesday, May 7
If you can read this, join Ketterman's in saying thanks to our Loudoun County educators for National Teacher Appreciation Day. Bring in your LCPS Badge for a $25.00 gift certificate to be used that day. We should appreciate our teachers every day, but this gift is limited to Tuesday, May 7 from 10:00am - 6:00pm.
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Contact Information - We'd love to hear from you!
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703-777-0033 always@kettermans.com www.kettermans.com
  
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