October Birthstones!

Individuals born in October get to choose between two birthstones — tourmaline and opal. Each birthstone comes in a rainbow of shades and color combinations, giving October babies a variety of options.

Between tourmaline (whose color depends on trace elements in its chemical makeup) and opal (which diffracts light to show a play of multiple colors), October’s birthstones offer a full spectrum of gemstones to suit anyone’s personal tastes.

The name “opal” originates from the Greek word opallios, which meant “to see a change in color.” Opal’s characteristic “play-of-color” was explained in the 1960s, when scientists discovered that it’s composed of microscopic silica spheres that diffract light to display various colors of the rainbow.

Since opal was discovered in Australia around 1850, the country has produced 95 percent of the world’s supply. Opal is also mined in Mexico, Brazil, Honduras, Ethiopia, the Czech Republic and parts of the U.S., including Nevada and Idaho.

For centuries, people have associated this precious gemstone with good luck. The Opal was a symbol of hope to the ancient Romans. The people of the Orient christened the Opal, ‘Anchor of Hope’. According to Arabic legend, opals fell from the sky in bolts of lightning. Australian aborigines, meanwhile, believed that the creator came to Earth on a rainbow, leaving these colorful stones where his feet touched the ground.

 

TOURMALINE

Egyptian legend tells that tourmaline found its famed array of colors when, on its journey up from the Earth’s center, it passed through a rainbow.

The name “tourmaline” comes from the Sinhalese words tura mali, which mean “stone of mixed colors.” As its name implies, tourmaline stands apart from other gemstones with its broad spectrum of colors in every shade of the rainbow.

Tourmaline is not one mineral, but a fairly complex group of minerals with different chemical compositions and physical properties. Certain trace elements produce distinct colors, and many resulting varieties have their own names:

Tourmaline is mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the U.S.—primarily Maine and California.

Tourmaline is desirable because of its sheer range of color options. Combined with a good hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, tourmaline makes very wearable birthstone jewelry.

 

 

“A March born shall always be
soothed by Aqua, gem of sea
this mermaid’s treasured stone you wear
will bring happiness, love, affection and care.”

 

The Latin word for seawater, Aquamarine, is said to calm waves and keep sailors safe. Known for its greenish and blue hues, it is also thought that it enhances the happiness in marriages. Not only is it the birthstone for March but it’s also the stone that represents a 19^th wedding anniversary. Aquamarines grow in beryl formations and are found all over the world, we have many beautiful aquamarines right here in downtown Asheville, NC at Jewels That Dance!!

 

You are invited to our 3rd Annual Gemstone Roundtable
Learn the story of the stone!

Saturday, October 27^th from 6:30 – 9:00pm
and Sunday, October 28^th from 12:30 – 3:00pm.
Request your invitation

The Roundtable Event is such fun and destined to become Asheville’s premier jewelry event. Mark your calendars now and contacts us with the date you’d like to attend. Please don’t wait too long, as we only have room for eighteen guests at each roundtable.

Great Food, Great Wine, Great Company and a Great Time

The Gemstone Roundtable is a two and a half hour event filled with delectable food, great wine, laughter and the opportunity to see, hold and learn about more gemstones that most people see in a lifetime. Jim and Pat Alger, American Gem Trade Association members and our favorite gemstone dealers, pass stones around the table while describing each stones’ history, nuances and intricacies. As the gemstones pass around the table, Paula can describe possible design options and encourages each guest to see how the gems might be worn. We invite every guest to have a good time in this relaxed social atmosphere, while learning more about their favorite gemstones. The Gemstone Roundtable is an experience that allows each participant the chance to develop a personal relationship with a gemstone expert and local designer. We welcome you to join us for this unique and entertaining experience.

What is Art? This age old question has as many answers as there are questioners.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines art as “the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects”.

Georgia O’Keeffe, American painter, defined art in the December 1977 issue of Art News, as “Filling a space in a beautiful way – that is what art means to me.”

For Paula Dawkins, our goldsmith and designer, the art of jewelry is expressed in design and color.

Asheville Made, new regional magazine celebrating local makers, recently featured an article about Paula and her art. Please click on the link below and enjoy the read!

Jewelry Designer’s Pioneer Story is a Limited-Edition Gem

Many things have changed over the years:

Paula’s workshop and retail store grew from a tiny shop on Lexington Avenue to the spacious state of the art workshop and retail fine jewelry store you find on Haywood Street today.

Staff, both sales and jewelers alike, have come and learned and moved on.

Some things have not changed:

Marlene, our showroom manager, and Pete, our master jeweler, have been here for many years and continue the dance with Paula and Carol.

Although Paula’s work has evolved, her sentiment has not changed. As she told one interviewer back in 1991, “My ultimate goal will always be to design a piece of jewelry, perfect in form and function and craftsmanship.  The problem is my rules keep changing and I keep expecting more and more of myself.”  This is still true today.

We continue to pursue our goals to achieve excellence in all we do, survive the onslaught of chains and the internet and continue our commitment to our customers, our neighborhood and community.

So … in celebration of these past 35 years we invite you to our Birthday Party!

Thursday, June 7^th 6pm – 8pm.

FEATURING…

Raffle: Take a chance to win a gorgeous Jewels That Dance original necklace – tickets $5 – ALL proceeds donated to support MANNA’s “Packs for Kids Program”.

Memory Lane:  At the request of staff, Paula is resurrecting five of the most popular designs she made during the past 35 years.  You never know, you might just want to take one home with you.

Customer Challenge – Giving Back:  Wear your favorite piece of Jewels That Dance jewelry to our Thursday night party and we will make a donation to the “Packs for Kids Program” in your name.

It goes without saying that being a mom is one of the toughest and the most rewarding jobs out there. Not a day goes by that we are not grateful for all the hard work and sacrifice that moms’ have made for their families. This Mother’s Day offers us a special chance to say “THANK YOU MOM, WE LOVE YOU!”