Turquoise is one of the world’s most ancient gemstones. The word turquoise comes from the French expression “pierre turque” meaning "Turkish stone". The mineral was first brought to Europe in the 13th century from Turkey via the Silk Road from the mines in Iran. ⁠
The best quality turquoise is located in Northeast Iran. Turquoise deposits are also found in Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Israel, Mexico, Tanzania and the USA.⁠
#turquoise #turquoisejewellery #irishjewellery #irishcraft #irishdesign #gemstonejewellery #bracelet #turquoisebracelet #doublebracelet #summerstyle #fashionover40 #styleover40 #handmadebracelet #handmadeinireland ...

Amethyst, the gemstone that carries the energy of fire, passion, creativity and spirituality got its name from the Greek word ametusthos, meaning “not intoxicated". Ancient Greeks believed that Dionysus, the god of intoxication and celebration, created amethyst.⁠
As the myth goes, Dionysus, angered by an insult, vowed to punish mortals who refused to partake in his gifts, which were wine and intoxication. A maiden named Amethyst crossed his path and refused to partake. He became even angrier and summoned a pair of tigers to devour Amethyst. Artemis saw what was happening and to prevent the tigers from harming the maiden turned Amethyst into a crystal statue. Dionysus quickly realised his error and wept into his wine, which he then spilled onto the statue. Amethyst was transformed into purple crystal and since that day, the stone was used as protection against intoxication.⁠
Amethyst is quite common and is found on all continents, with the largest deposits currently being mined in South America, Africa and North America. The largest global producers are Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia. ⁠
#amethyst #amethystjewellery #februarybirthstone #irishjewellery #irishcarft #madelocal #handmadejewellery #earrings #amethystearrings #ilgemstones #fashionover40 #styleover40 #irishdesign ...

Today is all about Amazonite, my bestselling stone and my personal favourite as it's so lovely for all seasons of the year. The gemstone was first named “the Amazon stone” after the Amazon River but it was actually never found near the river. The name was given by German mineralogist Johann Breithaupt in 1847 and it is not known why he came up with this name. Perhaps it sounded a bit more exotic than microcline or feldspar (types of mineral). This gemstone, under different names, has been in use since ancient Egypt. ⁠
Amazonite is found in small deposits in several parts of the world. Deposits are known in the United States, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Russia.⁠
#amazonite #gemstones #amazoniteearrings #gemstonejewellery #earrings #irishjewellery #irishcarft #amazonitejewellery #handmadeinireland #ilgemstones #irishdesign #irishmade #madelocal #gemstoneearrings #handmadeearrings #handmadeinireland #styleover40 #fashionover40 ...

Today I'm going to start a series of posts dedicated to the origin of gemstone names and places they are most commonly found in the world. ⁠
I'll start with the January birthstone, the juicy garnet 😋. The word “garnet” comes from the Latin word "granatus" for seed or grain, most likely a reference to the seeds of the pomegranate fruit. Some types of garnet do resemble pomegranate seeds in color, size and shape. ⁠
Garnet is found in Brasil, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, China and Madagascar. Closer to us, the Czech Republic is known for its Bohemian garnet which is also the country's national gem. #garnet #januarybirthstone #pomegranate #garnetname #irishjewellery #irishcraft #madelocal #handmadeinireland #ilgemstones #garnetjewellery #styleover40 #fashionover40 #doublebracelet #wrapbracelet ...

Not many of you have jewellery on your mind this morning with a new round of home schooling to take care of. The best gemstones to wear are rose quartz for harmony and love mixed with amethyst which is a natural stress reliever. Wishing all the mums lots of patience and strength ✨💫. #rosequartz #amethyst #crystalhealing #irishjewellery #ilgemstones #quartzjewellery #amethystjewellery #irishcraft #irishdesign #handmadeinireland #madeinireland #wearingirish #madelocal #styleover40 #fashionover40 #delicatejewellery #gemstonejewellery #gemstoneearrings #gemstonebracelets #stackingbracelet ...

Check out this easy and affordable way of cleaning tarnish from your sterling silver pieces. It can be used for jewellery, cutlery, decorations. It works well on solid gold, gold filled and gold vermeil pieces too. Here is a before-and-after photo of my task completed just before Christmas.
Steps to follow:
1. Line a small bowl with aluminum foil, making sure that the shiny side is facing up.
2. Place your silver jewellery into the foil-lined bowl. Remove any gemstones or wrap them well into tin foil to protect them from water and heat.
3. Add two teaspoons of baking soda to the bowl. Add more when using more water to clean bigger pieces.
4. Pour boiling water into the bowl to cover the silver items.
5. The water will begin to bubble. Leave it for 5 minutes.
6. Rinse your pieces under cold water and leave to dry.
7. Repeat the process for very tarnished pieces or rub the tarnished area with the bread soda from the bowl.
MAGIC ✨💫! Connoisseurs or Hagerty polishing wipes are excellent too. #tarnishedsilver #bakingsoda #silvercleaning ...

The Pantone Color Institute has named not one but two colors of the year: PANTONE® 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, a bright yellow. Described by the institute as “a marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.” Ultimate Gray and illuminating sunny yellow each serve a specific purpose. “Each of them has their own emotional aspect, the gray being the one that’s more supportive and solid, the practical foundation that we need, and the yellow is about hopefulness and sunshine and good cheer.” #pantonecoloroftheyear ...

Happy New Year to all my followers, customers, stockists, friends and family 🍾🎉. Let’s hope for a brighter one ✨💫! These are my nine top posts, thank you, you showed lots of love for green and my little videos. Stay safe and positive 😀. #happynewyear ...

Merry Christmas to you all, I hope you spent a lovely day with your loved ones. #christmas2020 ...

The last orders have been posted today. Loving the new postal boxes @westpackdk. Just have to work on my wrapping skills a bit 🤗. Thank you so much for all your orders and supporting my small craft business during this crazy year. Now there is Christmas day to be organised and last minute shopping done 🙈. #irishcraft #irishdesign #handmadejewellery ...

I’ve been a busy bee which kept me quiet on social media, apologies. Thank you for all your support 💫🌟. Today is the last day for online orders. You can also visit my stockists to soak up the Christmas atmosphere and cheer we all need this year 🎄🎁. Don’t forget to #supportlocal and choose some #irishmade products. @irishdesigngallery @designloft.ie @eirlooms @thenarrowspace @collectiveatmarketsq @black_abbey_crafts @glassoncraft @holistic_haven_dalkey @dccireland #madelocal #lovewhatyougive #smallbusiness #irishmade #irishcraft #irishdesign #handmadejewellery #gemstonejewellery ...

A refreshed display @designloft.ie in #powerscourt #enniskerry. A must visit place for some magical Christmas atmosphere 🎄💫 with the beautiful gardens, delicious food and of course wonderful Irish made products for your Christmas shopping 🛍🎁. #irishmade #irishcraft #irishdesign #handmade ...

This year’s Christmas market will mark my 6th year at @killruddery Christmas market. The market as well as the estate has evolved and changed a lot, the same as my jewellery brand. Both for the better, I hope and believe 😀!
I’ll be at the market on Saturdays the 5th, 12th, 19th and Friday the 18th.
Hope to see lots of you there 🎄💫. #killruddery ...

NEW WEBSITE & GREEN FRIDAY - I'm delighted to show you my new website. I hope it will offer a better browsing and online shopping experience. Combined with the Green Friday initiative it's time to say thank you to all my customers with a discount code. Please use code: NEWSITE to avail of 15% off all available designs on the website. Also there is free worldwide shipping. Offer is available until end of Sunday the 29th. I would appreciate your feedback on the website, there is never enough eyes to notice everything 👀👀. #greenfriday #supportlocal #newwebsite ...

From studs, hoops to standard and long earrings- we have you covered 👍. In lots of gemstones and colours, the options are endless.... #earrings #gemstoneearrings #studearrings #hoopearrings #longearrings #irishjewellery #irishdesign #ilgemstones #handmadeearrings #handmadeinireland #madelocal #irishmade #buyirish #madeinireland ...

@eirlooms launched a luxury gift box for women 💫🌟 just in time for Christmas gifting 🎄🎁. It includes a selection of beautiful and high quality Irish made products. A delicate gemstone bracelet in different gemstones/colours is included in it. Check it out @eirlooms. #giftbox #gifting #christmasgifts #irishmadegifts #lovewhatyougive #shopinireland #irishdesign #ilgemstones ...