New Synthetic Rough Available!

We have bunch of new synthetics available. A couple of new synthetic corundum colors, and a whole boat load of CZ that we are offering for the first time!

Check it out, and get yourself a hunk to play with!

http://www.prettyrock.com/php/synthetic-rough.php

The image above is available as wallpaper:
http://www.prettyrock.com/free-wallpaper-minerals.htm

Old Gold!

(Photo from CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/24/staffordshire.uk.gold.hoard/index.html

An amazing find by an metal detecting hobbyist! You know.. maybe I should dust off that metal detector out in our garage. Not that we will find a Anglo-Saxon gold hoard in NC, but there just maybe some pirate treasure left on the Outer Banks!

Be sure to check out the other photos.

The Hope Diamond - 50 Years at the Smithsonian

Image from the Smithsonian Channel website, showing the Hope under ultraviolet light.


The Smithsonian is has a wonderful page up on the history and science of the Hope Diamond. They are celebrating its 50th anniversary at the museum by having the stone set in a new setting voted on by readers. The new design will be announced September 23 (Wednesday!)

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/smithsonian/hope.html

Wire Wrapping Newbie!

Today I took a wire wrapping class sponsered by the Charlotte Gem and Mineral Club I have never done wire wrapping before and always excited to learn a new craft (because I need another hobby! ha!) Our teacher is Linda Simon, and she did a wonderful job of both helping the beginning students and answering the questions of the verteran wire wrappers. We had a great time and did a design called "stick man."

I know that sometimes all we see are the very best of the best of a craft like wire wrapping and that can be intimitating! So, I am going to share my first attempts here, realizing that they are a bit wobbly and off kilter :) I want to show that some designs are less complicated, and if I can do it, you can do it!