Designs by PattieK

STONE OF THE MONTH:
June counts three gems as birthstones: PEARL, ALEXANDRITE, and MOONSTONE
For centuries, pearls have been used as an adornment, and were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire. Later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age.
Pearls promote the idea of purity, chastity and marriage. Its wearers are believed to have an increase of personal integrity and growth. Ancient Greeks believed that pearls were created from the hardened tears of joy of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty.
A relatively modern gem, Alexandrite, was first discovered in Russia in 1831 during the reign of its namesake, Czar Alexander II, and is an extremely rare chrysoberyl with chameleon-like qualities. Its color is a lovely green in both daylight and fluorescent light; it changes color to a purplish red in incandescent light.
The third birthstone for June is the moonstone. It was given its name by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone's appearance altered with the phases of the moon — a belief that held until well after the sixteenth century.
A phenomenal gemstone, moonstones show a floating play of light (called adularescence) and sometimes show either a multi-rayed star or a cat's eye.
Considered a sacred stone in India, moonstones often are displayed on a background of yellow (a sacred color) and are believed to encapsulate within the stone a spirit whose purpose is to bring good fortune.
Part of the family of minerals called feldspar, moonstone occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks and come in a variety of colors such as green, blue, peach, and champagne.

BIO

I have been designing and hand making unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces for over 14 years. My collection of beads and findings is always growing and I continue to take classes to learn new techniques and increase my knowledge of jewelry design. I recently joined my local Gem and Mineral Society to further my knowledge of gemstones and minerals.

I currently show and sell my jewelry and accessories at The Hub Community Center for the Arts (at the corner of Georgia and Marin Streets - Vallejo, CA), I can also be found on the second Friday of the Month at the downtown Artwalk (at the same location) and you'll always find my designs on my website www.designsbypattiek.com.

I will also always accommodate a friend in need of a gift or last minute event. My inspirations come from many things but mostly from the gemstones themselves. When I look at individual stones they inspire me to make something beautiful.

I redesign and re-purpose old pieces of jewelry and make some jewelry repairs (based on a free one-on–one consultation).

I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy creating it for you.