|
This collection is a bit different from my previous ceremonial releases. I normally have a range of Aotearoa stones but this time I was drawn towards a collection of mainly Pounamu.
About my Pounamu - faceting vs cabochon
If you have been following me for a while you’ll know (or if you’ve scrolled my instagram) you’ll know I used to facet Pounamu (facets are those lovely flat, angular faces)
You may have also noticed you don’t see that anymore, I no longer facet Pounamu.
It was a tough decision to make because it was an extremely popular style of mine but longevity and durability come first and foremost for my craft.
Whilst the facets look wonderful on the Pounamu, if not cared for properly, overtime due to rubbing (washing hands, sleeping, gardening etc) they begin to soften in appearance and lose their nice sharp, flat surfaces.
So for everyday wear it’s not sustainable, as Pounamu while it's a tough stone it’s not super hard. Absolutely fine for a ring which isn’t worn everyday and taken good care of.
I intentionally chose to move to only making Pounamu cabochons in my ceremonial rings, so I know they will stand the test of time because I make heirloom pieces, pieces that will be handed down through generations and I want them to look just as good as when they were made.
There is something so magical about a cabochon, the way it holds the colour and light. It carries an internal glow that a faceted gem doesn’t. It holds the light inside the stone rather than refracts it.
I will still always facet my other gemstones (carnelian + agate) don’t worry, they're not going anywhere. But again, they’re not as hard as a diamond so they also need to be treated with care. I mean, any precious jewellery at all should be treated with care.
Cabochons
Cabochon gemstones have a flat underside and the top of the gemstone is then shaped into a dome. As different cuts and polishes of stones developed over the centuries, gemstones were polished ‘en cabochon’ to realise the full potential of a stone’s colour, or to display desirable inclusions and colours within the gemstone.
Regarded as one of the oldest cuts for gemstones, the cabochon dates back to the ancient world. Before technological advances in the 13th century which allowed for the faceting of gemstones, all precious and semi-precious gemstones were polished into cabochons. In essence, the cabochon is a look into the first connection humans had with gemstones, a polish created by those in awe of what the earth had produced, developed to enhance the exquisite colours they saw.
Reserved for gemstones of spectacular colour or with characteristics that may be enhanced by such a shape and polish, cabochons truly bring out the best in certain gemstones and this collection is just that. Celebrating Aotearoa Pounamu and the humble cabochon.
I wanted to showcase some different ways to wear Pounamu that you haven’t seen before.
Gold
I am happy to be able to offer my 18ct gold pieces in 100% New Zealand Alluvial Gold from the South Island.
Alluvial gold is gold that has eroded from its original hard-rock source and been deposited by water in loose sand, gravel, and silt deposits. It is often found in riverbeds, riverbanks, and beaches and is also known as placer gold. Alluvial gold mining relies on gravity and water to separate the dense gold from lighter materials. It doesn’t use any harsh chemicals (such as mercury) to separate the gold from the ore.
This is for the 18ct gold only, not 9ct gold (yet). A huge step in my journey to knowing exactly where my materials come from.
Did you know gold was formed through cosmic events like supernovae and neutron star collisions, which created gold in space billions of years ago. This gold was then scattered across the cosmos and eventually incorporated into our solar system. The gold on Earth arrived via meteorites and later became concentrated in the crust through geological processes, such as hydrothermal activity and weathering. Isn’t that brilliant!
And what's also amazing is how permanent gold is. It can be re melted over and over and over and over again. It doesn’t tarnish, it can be buried for thousands of years and still be the same.
For over 5000 years gold has been the universal language of value.
Egyptians wore it to honour gods and we still use it today to honour the most precious things in our lives, whether it be a loved one, an event or simply ourselves.
Thanks for reading, if you got this far!
Im looking forward to releasing the collection on Monday 3rd at 7pm.
Keep your eyes peeled on Sunday night for the 24 hour preview.
Ngā mihi nui,
Courtney
x
|
