Country superstar Miranda Lambert took the 2021 Grammy stage to perform her song, “Bluebird,” looking glamorous in Katherine Jetter jewelry. She wore our one-of-a-kind Tanzanite and Grey Tahitian Pearl Tik Tok earrings and our very special Grey Blue Star Sapphire Evening Cocktail Ring.
(Elemental Opals, by Willem Learn)
The iridescence of Precious Opal has been prized since antiquity. A unique expression of our natural world, Opals form largely in Australia with accepted world supply suggested to be 95% to 97% from this source. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this mineraloid is the fact that water content can reach up to 21%. Many gemstones change allegiance based on color such as a Sapphire gaining the name of Ruby as it approaches a certain level of red or varieties of Beryl holding names based largely on color variances such as Aquamarine, Heliodor, or Morganite. Opal stays pure to its name and only gains a descriptor in front of Opal to designate the type. Common Opal often appears milky with little to no color play, but our focus is on 3 of the varieties that are sought after in the gem trade: Boulder Opal, Fire Opal, and Black Opal.
Boulder Opal is the product of inspired cutting to yield as much face up play of color to the viewer’s eye as possible. In nature opal often runs in thin layers so that amazing light play is present without the depth to create a faceted stone. By orientating the ironstone to the back or strategically incorporating it into the design, we can view scintillating specimens of Opal and house them in creative ways. Pictured below is a Katherine Jetter Cage Pendant uniquely displaying a pebble shaped Boulder Opal. One of my favorite ways to capture the beauty of this natural gem and hold it near and dear is when the viewer has the ability to see every angle, play of color, and all of the beauty with which mother nature imbued this rare formation of earth and water.
Fire Opal is mined and exported to the world market from Mexico. This stone can display color play and features orange, yellow, or even gold body tones. Unlike most Opal varieties, the Fire Opal is translucent and this attribute allows for a different feel and emotion to opaque formations of this rich in variety gem. Below Katherine hand selects a vibrant shade of Fire Opal and knowing the characteristics of the stone intimately, she ingeniously chooses to display it in a bezel with claw prongs that guards and protects this rare geological formation.
First and foremost amongst the most prized Precious Opals in the world are Opals that have an overall body tone that is dark; punctuating and emphasizing the fire coming from the stone, dazzling the eye, and creating the optic that is prized around the world from antiquity to now. The world’s supply of Black Opal is contained predominantly in New South Wales, Australia in Lightning Ridge. Pictured below, The Royal One, is a divine specimen and possibly the rarest black opal in the world. The secretive miner that discovered this amazing specimen entrusted Katherine Jetter with presenting The Royal One to the world as she has so often safeguarded precious Opals from her homeland and shepherded them from Australia to the heart of the couture world. If you would like to experience the varieties of Opal available, then we invite you to join us. Visit our Opals in one of the boutiques across the country with which we partner, venture to the Island at The Vault Nantucket to see where we spend our summers, or order one from us online.
]]>Being in the middle of a historic global event seems like a fine time to escape to Ancient Egypt and immerse ourselves in the life of Cleopatra. She may not have had champagne, but she was a Queen. She was an unapologetic leader and, thanks in part to another jewelry lover Elizabeth Taylor, an icon. She also had a passion for green gemstones, the most famous of the beryl family: the emerald.
Cleopatra was the final ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty and was at the center of more than a few political and romantic scandals. She embodied Laurel Thatcher’s famous quote “well-behaved women seldom make history”. Cleopatra had a wicked sense of humor; she started a Drinking Club with Marcus Antonius her famous lover and partner, called the Inimitable Livers and they pulled pranks on the city residents while out and about on their escapades. When not partying, she led a fleet of ships into a naval battle at Actium because, and I am paraphrasing, Cleopatra ruffled a few feathers by marrying Antony. It angered his rival, Octavian who initiated things. Cleopatra and Antony lost that battle, but they put up a good fight. (Historians actually report that the battle was quite messy). She spoke several languages, and was educated in mathematics, philosophy, astronomy and charm. Not only was she fearless and clever, her reputation may have been sullied by a smear job by the Romans. Today, we might call her savvy and intelligent. And perhaps a bit theatrical? Cleopatra once smuggled herself into Caesar’s room via a rug. I hope she was draped in jewels as the rug unfolded because that would have been an incredible unveiling.
What does this have to do with us, jewelry lovers? Egypt was the main source of emeralds before Colombia was discovered in the 1500’s. More recently, Colombian mines have produced some of the most spectacular and famous emeralds on the planet. In fact, Katherine Jetter is honored to partner with Muzo Emeralds, a lovely selection of gemstones from the “Emerald Capital of the World” by incorporating them into her well-known designs. They have such beautiful and bright colors. It is just as well, since the Egyptian mines are no longer producing gemstones. French naturalist Frederic Cailliaud already sought out those mines in the 1800’s during his famed travels to Egypt. Explorers and rulers have been fascinated with emeralds for thousands of years. Can you imagine using the phrase “the world through green colored glasses” instead of rose? Nero used to watch Roman fights through emerald glasses because emeralds were believed to be soothing to the eye. And I suppose he was right. A truly beautiful emerald does have the power to whisk you away you to lush hills in Ireland or have us imagining the Emerald City in Oz with all its promises come true and glittery objects. Cleopatra was a clever one. She knew the stones had special meaning. Emeralds are ancient to humans, but they are also relics of our Earth. We’ve known that since antiquity, instinctively, and we assigned meanings to these beautiful gemstones. So that we can have some respite in a very chaotic world. A little bit of protection. And a way to soothe our tired eyes from the Roman Forum of the world. I invite you to set your eyes on one of our Muzo emerald pieces and have a moment of awe. Cleopatra certainly knew what she was doing.
Gemological Tidbits:
Emeralds are 6.5 – 7 on the Mohs scale so they do require a little extra love and care, and proper settings. A diamond is a 10 for reference.
Further Reading:
https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/gc/article/view/2752/3212
https://www.history.com/news/10-little-known-facts-about-cleopatra
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/historical-reading-ancient-emerald-mines-egypt
]]>By: Rebecca Fadden
One of the hottest trends in 2020 is the hoop earring. Spotted on the runway in shows like Proenza Schouler and Versace, this trend is a must-have for any girl’s Spring/Summer wardrobe. What I love about hoops is their ease in transitioning any outfit from day to night. They work with jeans and a t-shirt for a casual brunch or day of shopping to cocktails with girlfriends or a date night.
This season, opt out of your normal hoop and try a forward facing or hexagonal shaped hoop. This is a fresh way to update the classic hoop.
When it comes to color, don't be afraid to mix up your stones and metals. Add a pop of color to your outfit with a bright emeralds or sapphires.