Valentine's Day is February 14th!

The 14th day of February is a time that many present their family, friends and other loved ones with flowers, gifts, candy, jewelry and more.  People celebrate relationships, the joy of being together, of love covering a distance, and family ties. But why?  Actually, it's not exactly known why February 14th is known as Valentine's Day.  A true history is impossible to obtain from archives, and centuries of time have made the day more difficult to trace.  There are several theories and traditions involving a noble named Valentine, as well as three early Christian saints all named Valentine who were, coincidentially, martyed on February 14th.  If you appreciate history, reading articles regarding a probable origin are quite fascinating.

I found out that the British Museum displays one of the earliest valentine's, sent in 1415 from Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife.  He was imprisoned in the Tower of London at the time. The modern version of St. Valentine's Day is said to have derived from both ancient Christian and Roman traditions.  Specifically, the Roman named Valentine who was executed on February 14, 270 AD for refusing to renounce his religion.

Today, Valentine's Day is a major holiday celebrated all over the world as a romantic holiday for many - a time to tell those close to us how much they mean to us, and maybe even a time to let someone unaware know how we feel. However celebrated, we try to make it special. 

If you are considering non-pierced earrings as a Valentine's Day gift, Cliptomania.com has hundreds of clip earrings including buttons, dangles and petite earrings with a heart theme.  Don't forget - Amethyst is the "birthstone" for February and also makes a great gift to remember the month of love.

Sources:

www.theholidayspot.com



FAQ: Should I use my iPhone to order?

We have the capacity to use the internet on our phones and on the run, giving us freedom to "get more done" while we continue to do what we do. It's fantastic in a lot of ways.

However, a few customers have commented that they have had trouble ordering from our website on their iPhone. Problems like the drop down menues not working, or choosing one shipping method and getting a different method. When tested, our website has always been working 100%, so we naturally consider these issues to be phone related.

We are an internet business and support advancing technology, yet we have our concerns when potential customer's cannot use our site to its fullest. Our pages are large and have a lot of information. We strive to give our customers helpful details about the earrings they are purchasing, because we want them to be confident they are choosing exactly what they want with their hard-earned money. We advise customers NOT to rely solely on the image to depict the product, but to read corresponding descriptions which always include sizes, color options and anything we believe might better describe each product.

We do not discourage customer's use of iPhone or any other phone to place orders with us, yet we suggest that it might not be the most practical if errors are to be avoided.  We want to give our customer's the best customer service coupled with quality products, and hopefully add them to our growing, satisfied customer base.

Cliptomania.com offers 500+ clip-n earrings for non-pierced ears. Styles include gold, silver, sterling, pearl, big and bold, bead, designer, kids, sensitive ears and more! Helpful pages on our website include style guide, birthstone and anniversary information, new arrivals, back in stock, a glossary and frequently asked questions. An Advanced Search  will allow customer to filter by designer, keyword, size and price.  Our sister site, www.earringinformation.com gives information on common clip adjustments, earring styles for particular face shapes, earring care, and more.

Birds, Birds & More Birds

Doves:  love, hope, peace, the divine.

Hummingbirds: happiness and delicate beauty.

Owl: silent wisdom, and that which is not yet known.

Swan: loyalty and grace.

Cardinal: fresh perspective.

Bat: death & rebirth, nurturing and sensitivity.

Cliptomania.com has 500+ non-pierced earrings including birds and other Animals including Creatures of the Air.  We also have other "birds" and flying creatures clip on earring located throughout the website. To find them, simply go to the elongated seach products here box.

One "bird" designer in particular is Bamboo.   Search for Bamboo under the Designer filter.

Sources:

symbolism.wikia.com/wiki

www.whats-your-sign.com

www.animal-symbols.com

Gemstone Highlights: Malachite



Image from: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=free+images

What is it?

Malachite is an green banded, copper carbonate hydroxide mineral.  It results from weathering of copper ores, and is found deep underground where the water table fluids provide the perfect formative environment. Malachite is opaque in massive form, and translucent in crystalline form.

Image from: http://skywalker.cochise.edu

The name comes from the Greek for "mallow" a green herb, because of its resemblance to the leaves of the Mallow plant.  Its light and dark green bands make it highly recognizable, and a favorite medium for jewelry and ornamental use. The crystals give malachite a velvety appearance.


Malachite has been mined in large quantities in Russia. However, it is found worldwide with notable mines in Zambia, Mexico, England, France, Australia, Israel, and the United States.

On the Moh's Scale of hardness malachite rates at 3.5 - 4 which is quite a bit softer than some of the gems we have highlighted in previous blogs. Therefore, you'll want to read the care instructions for malachite jewelry below.

Ancient Use.

Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used malachite not only for jewelry, but ground it to use as eye shadow.  It was also the pigment in green paints until about 1800.  Archeological evidence indicates that the mineral had been mined in Israel for over 3,000 years.  The Malachite Room in the Hermitage Museum in Russia features "The Tazza," a large malachite vase, a gift from Tsar Nicholas II.

Earthsong Gemstone Non-pierced Drop Clip Earrings

Care of Malachite Jewelry:

Soft and a little brittle, malachite is also sensitive to acids and heat. Therefore, jewery should not be steamed cleaned or undergo ultrasonic cleanings. Soft and gentle cleaning is recommended. Clean it by wiping it with a slightly damp, soft, clean cloth. Never submerge the stone in water.  As malachite can scratch easily, store malachite jewelry separately from other jewelry.  Also keep it out of constant sunshine due to it's ability to fade.  Spray perfume or hairspray before applying jewelry as these chemicals are harsh on the stones.

Baoule Circle Bead Non-pierced Drop Clip Earrings

Folklore & Mystic Properties:

Malachite can be an alternative stone for May's emerald. Ancient mythical use included amulets to protect against the evil eye and to keep children safe from witches and other dangers.  Malachite is known as "the mirror of the soul" and thus reflects the inner feelings of the person wearing it; therefore, they advise, if you're in a negative mood, don't wear malachite.  On the positive side, malachite was said to get rid of nightmares and help wearer make good business decisions.

www.cliptomania.com is an internet store dedicated to non-pierced, clip-on earrings. 500+ styles, including gold, silver, pearl, sterling, nickel-free, hoops, crystals, designer, gemstones, big & bold and so much more. 

Sources

www.gemsociety.org/info/gems/malachite.htm

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachite

www.galleries.com/Malachite

Birthstones: December & January



Image from: www.dreamstime.com

December's birthstone is Blue Topaz.

Natural occurrences of blue topaz are quite rare.  Usually, colorless, pale yellow, gray or blue material are heat treated and irradiated to produce the darker blue desired stone.

Did you know that blue topaz is also the state gemstone of Texas in the United States?





Image from: www.ohmydollz.com

Each month also has an alternate birthstone.
December's alternate is Lapis Lazuli.

Lapis was known as sapphire in ancient times, which is the name used today for the blue corundum variety of sapphire.  Lapis was also used in the Taj Mahal in India.

Did you know that powdered lapis lazuli was used as eyeshadow by Cleopatra?




 

Image from: www.bidorbuy.co.za



December birth crystal is the Blue Zircon.

Most blue zircon is pastel blue and heat treated to darken the color. Other zircon colors include colorless, red, pink, brown, hazel and black. However, the most popular zircon color is blue. 

Did you know that zircon played an important role in the evolution of radiometic dating?  Radiometric dating methods are used in geochronology to establish the geological time scale.



Image from horoscopeplanet.blogspot.com

January's birthstone is Garnet.

Most garnets come from African countries, yet also mined in Russia, India, and South and Central America.  It is a gem that is not artifically enhanced.

Did you know the first industrial use of garnet appears to have been as coated sandpaper made in the United States in 1878 by Henry Hudson Barson, of Barton Mines Corporation?

Image from www.greenchicafe.com

The alternate is Rose Quartz.

Rose quartz is pink quartz that is often called the "Love Stone," and is considered one of the most desireable varieties of quartz.

Did you know the pink color of rose quartz is photosensitive and can fade in sunlight?

Image from astrologyandfortune.com

January's birth crystal is Garnet.

Garnets are from a family of gems that come in every color except blue.The red wine colored garnet is the most popular.

Did you know that people used to believe that when danger was near, the garnet would lose its brilliance?

Sources:

en.wikipedia.org

minerals.usgs.gov

www.gemstone.org

www.galleries.com

www.ephemerala.com

Meet the Designer: Ken Kantro

Ken Kantro was born and raised in New York City then settled in Lovell, Maine in 1975. Situated in the rural foothills of the White Mountains, Lovell provided the perfect setting for developing a craft and career in metalwork and design.

After receiving his undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, Ken pursued a parallel interest in Eastern Philosophy and the simple straightforward art it inspires.  His deep interest in Asian art led him to accept an apprenticeship with a potter specializing in Japanese traditions. While there, he developed techniques combining clay and metal.  Ken's fascination with the flowing, light reflecting qualities of metal led to what was for him the most expressive medium.  Ken went on to study the design approach and fabrication skills of early American pewter craftsmen.  His early pieces soon become known for their excellence in design and workmanship.

Ken's first departure from traditional design came in 1978 with his Damariscotta trivet (pictured top left).  It was designed to commemorate his family's move from the mountains of Western Maine to the coastal village of Damariscotta and soon became a popular symbol of the entire coast of Maine.  With the appearance of this unique design came the demand for its translation into jewelry.  It was at this point, Ken started creating jewelry and ornaments which reflected his love of nature simply expressed in timeless design.

Ken has been inspired by the transformative power of art and the powerful process of creating jewelry and objects of beauty from the elements found in the earth.  These elements - silver, gold and pewter - when turned into molten states, assume fluid properties which can be molded and shaped in ways limited only by one's imagination and creativity. Accompanying his creative gift has been his deep abiding love of nature. The uncompromising beauty of the North Atlantic coastline and mountainous inland wilderness have inspired him to create pieces of extraordinary beauty and reality.  Ken has received many special commissions and honors, among them the American Pewter Guild Design Award. Some of his work is exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute and at museums and galleries throughout the world.

Cliptomania.com offers several of Ken Kantro's beautiful earring designs. Featured in Tomorrow's Heirloom's - Male Designers, these earrings come complete with a short bio and inspiration of the piece.  Other earrings by Ken and Lovell Design are located here.

Gemstone Highlights: Agate

What is it?

Agate is a microcrystalline variety of silica, namely chalcedony. It is known by its fine grain and bright colors.  Usually associated with volcanic rocks, it can also be common in metamorphic rocks. It was given its name by a Greek philosopher, Theophrastus, who discovered it on the river Achates (now called the Dirillo in Sicily) about the 3rd century.

Image: www.dandennis.com

Many agates are hollow. The last deposit commonly consists of quartz, often amethyst, in which the apices of the crystals are directed toward the free space.  With this crystal-lined cavity, it is referred to as a 'geode'. In the blue or gray agates, clear quartz cystals, or "drusy" can be found, and is usually treated separately.

Image: www.worldwidestore.com

In the ancient Persian culture, items created with these gemstones were considered talismans, as the gem was associated with preventing storms and increasing crops. Agates were also popular with European royalty in the Renaissance as well as with the rulers of the Byzantine Empire. Agate has also been discovered in many ancient sites as one of the most commonly used materials in hard carved art and practical items including paper knives, inkstands and seals (picture on right). Due to its hardness (Mohs Scale 7) and acid resistance, it has been used for making mortars and pestles to crush and mix chemicals.



Image: vibrate.wordpress.com

Colors.

Common colors include yellow, black, purple, green, red, brown, orange, white, blue and red-brown, with green and blue agates being the rarest.  When it is cut transversely, it exhibits a succession of parallel lines, giving it a banded appearance, which is also known as riband agate or striped agate. Although sporting a waxy luster, agate polishes well.

Where is it found?

Agates can be found all over the earth. However, the more important mines are found in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Russia.

Types of Agate.

There are thousands of named agates based upon where found, who discovered them, composition, color and other characteristics. There is a classification of nine types of agates that are based upon how they form which I found interesting in helping to gain a basic understanding.

• Fortification Agates are the most common and are formed when bands crystallize into layers that follow the shape of the cavity. The banding is rigid-looking, and if viewing it from above, resembles a fort.
• Water-line Agates are formed by silica rich water entering the cavity slowly with the excess water draining away creating separate layers forming a stack of parallel bands.
• Shadow Agates are formed when the alternating translucent and opaque bands exhibit a shadow appearance when the agate is rocked back and forth (or by your orientation of view), and are considered an interesting optical effect.
• Tube Agates begin when tiny hair-thin mineral rods grow first within the silica gel along which micro-crystals form. Sometimes the inclusions remain and other times they are hollow tubes.
• Eye Agates have a mysterious appearance believed to be formed when the silica drains from the cavity leaving only a droplet to bead up on the cavity wall. The droplet then crystalizes into a solid chalcedony "eye."
• Plume Agates have outside layers that form prior to the chalcedony bands. They are a filament growth of mineral inclusions that look like ferns or feathers. They are sometimes referred to as dendritic agates.
• Geode Agates form when silica-rich water stops filling the cavity leaving a hollow center with a crystalline fill.
• Moss Agates have clusters of mineral inclusions that resemble plants, trees or landscapes. Most inclusions are comprised of iron or maganese oxide.
• Seam Agates form in the cracks of host rocks rather than rounder pockets. The deposits form parallel bands that fill the crack or seam.

orange & white agate clip earrings by KJK

Caring for your Agate Jewelry.

Tips for keeping your agates beautiful and scratch-free include putting it on after you've applied make-up, hairspray or perfume. The chemicals in these cosmetics can damage the shine and create a build-up. Agate jewelry should be cleaned after wearing with a soft brush and cotton cloth, and each piece stored separately in a cotton cloth to avoid scratching with other agates or gemstones.

blue agate, jade, and pearl clip earrings by Museum Reproductions

The Mystical and Forklore of Agates.

For thousands of years people have believed agates possess metaphysical properties.  In researching the previous gems I have highlighted on this blog, agates by far have the most mystical properties attributed to them.  Similar to other gems, the more common attributed properties of agates include protection, harmony, ability to calm, divert storms, stimulate fertility and personal creativeness.  Some of the odder attributes include relieving thirst, helping one be truthful, keeping blood & bone marrow healthy, making one less disagreeable and more persuasive, and relieving allergies.  Historically, agate was placed in water for cooking and drinking to dispel sickness.

Cliptomania.com offers hundreds of affordable pairs of non-pierced, clip-on earrings. To see gemstone earrings, including agates, click here. 

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agate

http://www.agatelady.com/agate-basics.html

http://agates.org/

http://www.gemstone.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137:sapphire&catid=1:gem-by-gem&Itemid=14