Bees in History

     Bees and their symbolism began as far back as 2600 B.C. Beekeeping has been documented in ancient Egypt, the beeswax being used in the mummification process and has since been a symbol of loyalty. In Hinduism, the bee represents the God of Love. In Greece it deals with promises of the afterlife. The Celts associated the bee with hidden wisdom.

How Bees Create

     As a bee lands upon a flower to collect nectar, pollen also attaches itself to the insect's leg fibers, which is then transferred to every other flower that bee lands on, creating the fertilization process. Their movement from one plant to another symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things.

Materials
   
    Nectar Jewelry uses stones, wood, metal, ceramic, leather, crystals, and found objects.  Below is a list of most materials and some additional information to aid customers in choosing their pieces.

Chalcedony
     Chalcedony can be virtually any color of the rainbow, but most commonly pale blue, yellow, white, light tan, brown or gray. It is a finely crystallized or fibrous quartz that forms rounded crusts, rinds, or stalactites in volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Chalcedony is a precious stone that occurs in many forms, colors, and shapes. The Romans prized chalcedony as seals, and the Victorians carved them into an endless array of cameos and intaglios. Chalcedony was used in Renaissance magic for health and safety. In all ages chalcedony has been the stone most used by the gem engraver, and many colored varieties are still cut and polished as ornamental stones.
     This beautiful stone is believed to banish fear, depression, sadness, and reduces fever. Wearing chalcedony is believed to be excellent for eyes. Chalcedony prevents melancholy, is worn by many to promote calm and peace, and stimulates creativity.  The stone is found in India, Madagascar, Burma, Brazil, Mexico, and USA.

Tourmaline
     Tourmaline comes in many colors such as black, blue, yellow, pink, red, green and clear.  Some crystals are pink at one end and green at the other.  Tourmaline came from the Sinhalese name of turmali or tormally (multicolored), is the birthstone of Libra, Sept. 23 - Oct. 23, and multicolored tourmaline is the anniversary gemstone for the 8th year of marriage. 
     Tourmaline was imported from Sri Lanka at the beginning of the 18th century and during medieval days tourmaline was thought to heal physical and mental disorders and even prevent death.  Tourmaline calms nerves, regulates hormones, induces tranquil sleep, relieves pain, helps fight heart diseases, and is said to dispel fear and negativity. According to legend, the tourmaline of all colors protects the wearer against many dangers and misfortune. It is believed to enhance creativity, to increase fertility, to smooth away passive/aggressive nature, release anxiety, deflect negativity, and neutralizes resentment and insecurity. Tourmaline is found in Africa, Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, and USA .

Do not clean tourmaline in a home ultrasonic cleaner.

Pearls
     The color of pearls varies with the mollusk and its environment. It ranges from black to white, rose, cream, gray, blue, yellow, lavender, green, and mauve.  Pearls are formed by a mollusk consisting of the same material  ( mother-of-pearl) as the mollusk's shell. It is a highly valued gemstone. 
When a foreign particle penetrates the mantle (inside), the cells attach to the particle and build up layers of pearl around it. Irregularly shaped pearls called baroque pearls are those that have grown in the tissue of the shell, and pearls that grow adjacent to the shell are flat on one side and called blister pearls.
Pearls are characterized by their translucence and lustre and by a delicate play of surface color called orient. The more perfect its shape and the deeper its lustre, the greater its value.  Pearls are birthstones of Gemini May 21 - June 21. 
     Pearls are less durable than most gems. They are sensitive to acids, dryness, and humidity. If you wear cosmetics, perfume or a hair spray, put these on before wearing your pearl jewelry. When taking off your pearls, wipe them with a dry, lint-free cloth. If needed, clean your pearls with warm soapy water being very careful to not get water into the drill hole as the pearl may discolor. Dry your pearls flat on an absorbant soft towel. 

     The Chinese have been adept for hundreds of years at cultivating pearls by opening the mussel's shell and inserting into it small pellets of mud or tiny bosses of wood, bone, or metal and returning the mussel to its bed for about three years to await the maturation of a pearl formation.
      Pearls eliminate emotional imbalances, help one master the heart chakra and is said to help one see themselves and help improve self-worth. As an emblem of modesty and purity, the pearl symbolizes love, success, and happiness.

Trade Beads*
     Most African glass beads are made by the Krobo tribes people in a small region of Ghana in West Africa.  These people have been making beads for well over 1000 years.  Glass African trade beads are made from powdered glass and are referred to as "powder glass beads".  The glass is smashed, and the slivers are then ground into powder.  The process looks similar to the way we use a mortar and pestle.  The powder is then placed in molds for forming into the desired bead shape.  A dried leaf is placed in the center of the bead to form the hole, and the molds are placed in an oven and heated over the flame. Powder glass beads have a matte, earthy appearance. Glass beads are not the only type of beads made in Africa.  West Africans are also famous for their brass beads.  Brass African beads almost has an antiqued look.  Traditionally, African beads were made by men; they were then strung together and sold in the marketplace by women, but today there are some women who also make the beads. 

Metalized Ceramic
     Imported from Greece, our ceramic components are dipped in copper, kiln-fired again, then finished with 24 karat gold, fine silver, or pure copper with a variety of patinas and finishes.   Fine silver is a pure form of silver, with sterling silver being 92.5% silver and is mixed with an alloy to make it less maleable, but it also tarnishes.  Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, does not tarnish, and is much softer. 

Opal
     Opals range from yellows and reds to black, white and gray. Opal can reflects light with a play of brilliant colors across the visible spectrum.  The name opal is derived from the Latin word opalus, meaning "seeing jewel", and can be fairly brittle because they contain water.  Opal has been a gemstone since Roman times, was included among the noble gems, ranked second only to emerald by the Romans, and are also set in the crown jewels of France.  The opal is more than 60 million years old and generally dates back to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Opal is an extremely lucky stone and in ancient times was accepted as a symbol of faithfulness. It has reputed healing properties, especially to increase mental capacities such as creative imagination. Black opals worn near the heart on necklaces made of gold are said to protect one from the evil eye and protect travelers on journeys to far away lands. Opals have been ground up and used a magic potions to heal the body, ward off bad dreams, and used an energy enhancement tools. Opals come from Southern Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia, Japan and USA.

Garnet
     The versatile garnet comes in a virtual rainbow of colors, including pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, violet, green, colorless, occasionally black, brown and many shades of red and green. The most common color of garnets is reddish brown. Bohemian Garnet is deep red gemstone; Russian Demantoid and African Tsavorite are vibrant green.

Ojime Beads**
     Ojime beads are not carved by just anyone, but actual master carvers who consider this a very valuable art form.   For a single Ojime bead to be crafted by a skilled master carver, approximately four to six hours is required.  Once the carving is complete, the beads are then signed by the artist, hand polished, and waxed to bring out their lustrous shine before being sold.  They originated in Japan and the beads are meant to work with the Netsuke so the Japanese people could hang items on a sash from their kimono.  Although these small beads are beautiful and intricately made, they had a very distinct purpose for every day life.  Because of the amazing carving of the Ojime beads, they soon became somewhat of a fashion statement. 

Coral
     Coral is calcified skeletons of sea creatures that grow in formations resembling the branches of a tree. Most coral used for jewelry comes from the Mediterranean Sea or the Pacific Ocean near Japan and Taiwan.

Swarovski Crystal
     Swarovski is the luxury brand name of a line of precision-cut crystal out of Zurich, Switzerland.  The company was founded by Daniel Swarovski, and Austrian glass cutter and jeweler born in Bohemai in 1862. 

Amazonite
     Amazonite varies in color from yellow-green to blue-green and may also exhibit fine white streaks.  It is a feldspar mineral, and is usually opaque.  It's name is derived from the Amazon River, though no deposits have been found there.  Articles made of amazonite were found in Ancient Egypt. The Pikes Peak district of Colorado became the most important source of amazonite after 1876. Amazonite improves skin, releases fear and anxiety, and aids in marriage.  Amazonite has been mined in Brazil, Colorado, Ontario, Quebec, Italy, and Russia.

Topaz
     Topaz is clear, yellow, blue, pink, peach, gold, green, red, and brown.  The name topaz is derived from the Indian Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire, and is Scorpio's Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 birthstone.  Topaz often becomes paler if kept out in the sun. The best way to clean topaz is warm soapy water.   Topaz is the "Stone of Strength" noted by Greeks, and during medieval days it was thought to heal physical and mental disorders and prevent death. The stone stimulates an endocrine system, balances emotions and calms passions, releases tension, gives feelings of joy, and is known as a spiritual rejuvenation gemstone. Topaz is found in Russia, Siberia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Africa and China, Japan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Australia, Mexico, and the United States.

                                   


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