Julie's Friday Crystal Ball 22 February 2019

Hi there dear Empaness supporters and gemstone jewellery fanatics

Its a wild and woolly day at the beachside this Friday - we have a cyclone hovering just offshore !

Sure to cause a bit of a build up of dirt, dust and oily grime on our favourite gemstone jewellery pieces - yuk.

So here are a few basic tips on cleaning your jewellery.

Four Methods to care for your Gemstone Jewellery:

Liquid mild detergent and water:

The simplest and gentlest - just wash gently with warm water and a soft brush or cloth. No vigorous scrubbing.

Suitable for these sensitive gemstones:

Emerald, Jade, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Moonstone, Peridot, Topaz, Turquoise

Commercially available chemical cleaning liquids from jewellers:

Or make your own using a small container (such as a mug or small bowl) - add a splash of household cloudy ammonia, a small amount of liquid dishwashing detergent and combine with warm water. Carefully submerge the jewellery and allow to soak for 20-30 minutes.

Suitable for:

Agate, Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Hematite, Onyx, Quartz, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Zircon

Ultrasonic machine

Day-to-day dirt and grime, oily residues can be removed from the tiny crevices and hidden passageways of your gemstone pieces. This cleaning method is ideal because the equipment can be adjusted to the proper ratio and frequency required to clean but not damage items. This is one of the top benefits of ultrasonic cleaning.

Suitable for:

Agate, Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Garnet, Hematite, Onyx, Zircon

Steam

Use a commercial steam cleaner or suspend your gemstone jewellery over a pot of water on the stove - suspend jewellery by using coat hanger wire or similar wire that doesn’t bend too much across the pot. Bring water to boil to create steam which will clean.

Suitable for:

Agate, Alexandrite, Chalcedony, Hematite, Onyx, Tigerseye, Zircon.

Also, with caution - Amethyst, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Quartz, Tourmaline.

Handcrafted bracelet with citrine gemstones and onyx with sterling silver toggle clasp

Handcrafted faceted black onyx sterling silver bracelet

This week’s news from Julie’s craft bench:

This week I haven’t made any new pieces for the website, as I have been making custom orders . Which I absolutely love doing.

I made a beautiful earrings, anklet and bracelet matching set for a lovely lady in Brisbane. All ready for me to post today. If I have the gemstones in stock and metal I can generally get custom orders out within five days. I have also been packaging up and posting my orders from my fantastic 50% off sale on my beautiful pearls collection. So now I can start on some new creations in Black Onyx, Tigers Eye and and some earthy natural oval Montana Agate I have recently had come in.

On the home front, the wind has been picking up each day as cyclone Oma starts to show its effects here at Coolangatta. Silly me decided to go and battle the foreshore waves to get out into the lovely calm water out further on Kirra beach. I got smashed ! - would have looked quite funny to onlookers, but not for me, it hurt like hell. My spine is paying for this now.

So I think Jules will not swim for next few days until cyclone Oma has well and truly passed. Some great waves at Snapper Rocks, around 6ft yesterday. Surfers are having a ball, including my husband.

My 50% off my beautiful pearl range sale is still on so for the next six or so days, pieces are moving fast. You can view my work at empaness.com.au

Thats it from me, have a wonderful weekend. Perhaps do something for yourself that doesn’t cost money. Maybe a swim in the ocean, but not here haha away from any cyclone affected areas ! Or some meditation or catch up with a friend. Something that makes you feel good.

Bye for now - have a fantastic weekend.

Jules