VILLAGE SILVERSMITH
Fall 2011
Sugalite
This purple stone is
a beautifully
saturated tone with
colors in the purple
to pink range.
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Sonora Picture
Jasper
Malachite
Azurite
Laboratory
Opal
A gem from Sonora
Mexico with
individually unique
picturesque quality.
Unusual color
combination makes
this stone a rarity in
the gem world.
This stone is a
durable version of the
traditional October
birthstone.
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[1]
Sugalite,
Sugalite
Katy Lovasco
is
a
gorgeous
purple gem that was mined in
South Africa. The material was
discovered by iron miners who
considered the bright pink to
purple stone “scrap” as they
were on the hunt for iron to
make steel. Only one miner was
intrigued by the stone, and
later discovered that they had
been digging the best quality
sugalite
in
the
world.
However, the stone has since
been mined out in the famous
South African mine.
This gem is a variated pink to
purple stone. It is one of
less than a dozen natural
stones to have a purple color.
Purple is the rarest color in
the
natural
stone
world
because
the
mineral
combination has to be so exact
to create the color. This
stone is made of many elements
and
minerals
including
potassium, sodium, manganese,
and iron. Many cuts of this
Right: Pendant with vine and
leaf setting $175
[2]
stone
have
pockets
translucency, indicating
gem quality of the stone.
of
the
Metaphysically,
sugalite
is
known
as
the
“stone
of
guidance.” It is said to aid
in the ability to help find
stability
in
the
sudden
changes that life can bring.
In doing this, it can stop the
sudden shock of trauma and
bring clarity.
During the fall season, jewel
tones are always a popular
choice and the purple tone in
this stone
works great with
any jewel toned wardrobe. This
stone
also
can
contain
elements of black and tan so
wearing it with neutrals is
another great option.
Find pieces of this rare gem
in our Mall, Gloucester, and
Bearskin Neck locations.
Sonora
Picture
Jasper
is one of the newest finds to
come out of Mexico. Found in
the mountains of Sonora, this
unique type of jasper is only
mined by Phillipe Zappata, a
friend of Village Silversmith
and Sierra Madre Mining. We
are part of a very select few
who have set and
released
this stone so early to our
customers.
Picture jasper is a petrified
mud that has seeped into gas
pockets in molten lava. Being
close to lava the mud becomes
super-heated
and
then
solidified forming different
layered patterns. Jasper is a
relatively hard stone getting
a 6.5-7 out of 10 on the Mohs’
hardness scale.
Each one of these stones, with
a little imagination, will
depict a beautiful scene. With
tones of mauve, gray, mustard,
and white the picture comes to
life. The branch pattern that
appears in this stone comes
from the mineral manganese
These
branch
patterns
are
known in the mineral world as
dendrites, making this one of
the
very
few
dendritic
rhyolites.
Sonora Picture
Jasper
Katy Lovasco
This stone is perfect for the
fall season with great colors
that
compliment
wardrobes
with
colors
of
brown
and
burgundy perfectly.
Metaphysically, picture jasper
is said to aid in creating
harmony
and
creative
visualization.
Because
of
these attributes this stone is
popular for the use of success
in business pursuits. Picture
jasper is also thought to have
emotional healing properties
to those with psychological
issues.
This new stone can be found at
our Bearskin Neck, Gloucester,
and Northshore Mall location.
Left: Pendant with vine and
leaf setting $295
Like our metaphysical stone
descriptions? Check out The Book
of Stones in our shopping page.
[3]
Malachite
Azurite
Katy Lovasco
Malachite Azurite
is a gorgeous
mixed mineral stone. Comprised of
malachite, a forest green orbicular
patterned stone, and azurite, a deep
blue mineral. This stone is the biproduct of the oxidation of copper.
This type of malachite azurite comes
from Morenci, Arizona and is the
highest grade of this particular
stone. This mine is also famous for
its impeccable quality of turquoise.
The mine in Morenci has been closed
for many years, so what is in the
market is all that is left of this
gem.
During
the
Middle
Ages
and
the
Renaissance, this stone was ground
into pigment for use in paint and eye
shadow.
Also,
in
some
ancient
civilizations malachite was thought
to protect against evil if worn as
jewelry. This stone is not known
widely as a particular birthstone,
but several references indicate the
use of it as a birthstone for the
sign of Taurus.
Metaphysically, malachite azurite is
said to aid in meditation, guiding to
the innermost depths of the mind
without fear.
Physically it is said
to assist in dispelling arrogance,
conceit, vanity and fear, replacing
it with loving connections instead of
living egotistically.
The coloring in these stones gives
room
for
many
wardrobe
options
because of its two toned nature. This
will allow you to wear it with
complementary blue tones and green
tones. This stone is a great pop of
color in the fall season. With its
range of bright to dark blues and
greens, this stone can be worn as a
statement with an outfit.
Malachite azurite can be found at any
of our Village Silversmith locations,
with a large collection found at our
store on Bearskin Neck.
Above from left to right: Malachite
Azurite pendant with a vine and leaf
setting $195, Malachite Azurite pendant
with modern root setting $225
[4]
Laboratory
Created Opal
Katy Lovasco
When
the
word
“laboratory”
precedes a stone name, it usually
carries a negative connotation.
However, in the case of opals, a
preceding name of laboratory,
could actually be a good thing!
Laboratory opals are created in
controlled conditions. They have
the same physical properties and
chemical composition to that of
natural opals, except for lack of
water.
The composition of the
stone
without water is a giant plus
because
it
eliminates
the
possibility of the opal cracking.
Because natural opals quite often
contain
water,
temperature
changes
can
cause
in
many
instances, the stone to crack.
People who would love to wear
their opal jewelry everyday would
benefit greatly from this form of
the stone. Whereas with natural
opal containing water, it would
not be conducive to wear as an
everyday item. The fact that this
line is lab created also allows
for a much lower price point than
natural opal.
This new line of lab-created opal
has a great array of nautical and
other
fun
designs,
including
starfish, whale tails, seahorses,
turtles, and modern shapes with
simple settings. The opal comes
in variations of white and blue
with tons of sparkle and shine.
This popular stone is also known
as October’s birthstone, making
it
great
for
birthday
gifts
throughout
the
month.
Metaphysically, opal is thought
to
aid
in
sparking
the
imagination,
promoting
introspection, and in awakening
intuition. Physically, the stone
is thought to aid in any issues
with the digestive system.
This new line of laboratory opals
can be found at our Dock Square,
Gloucester, and Northshore Mall
locations.
[5]
Left: Whale tail pendant $71
Starfish pendant $80, Modern
pendant $80, Ring with CZ &
Opal $65
Below: Blue opal pendant with
greek key design $125, Diamond
shaped earrings with blue opal
$100
Shop
Village Silversmith
To place an order please call
978-283-8811. All orders require a
$10.00 S/H fee. Items throughout
newsletter also for sale.
Blue Opal
Starfish
Pendant
Blue Opal
Whale Tail
VS00013
VS00014
$49.00
$71.00
Blue Opal
Greek Key
Square
Pendant
Pendant
VS00015
$100.00
White Opal
Modern
Pendant
White Opal
Turtle
Pendant
VS00016
VS00017
$60.00
$50.00
White Opal
w. CZ’s
Modern
Pendant
VS00018
$71.00
Sonora Picture
Jasper Pendant
Malachite Azurite
Pendant
One of a kind
One of a kind
2”x1.5”
2”x1”
$275.00
$295.00
Sugalite Pendant
The Book of Stones
$30.00
One of a kind
“The Book of Stones” is a new edition of
the best-selling guide to some of
Earth's most beautiful natural objects.
Each entry begins with the stone name
and photo, plus its elemental and chakra
correspondences, as well as keywords
that indicate its properties. Next comes
a description of the crystal structure,
hardness, history, and known locations
of each mineral, plus any relevant
legend or lore from the past. Each
author then offers an essay on the
subtle energy properties and spiritual
applications of the stone.
2.25”x.75”
$175.00
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