Asheville jewelry on Etsy

Here are a couple of  Etsy shoppes selling affordable Asheville jewelry:

Misty Ridge Designs by Heather Lewis.  Very affordable wired wrapped and sterling jewelry with semi precious stones.  She has some nice copper earrings that are great for fall.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mistyridge?ref=seller_info

The Nesting Nomad.  Very cool antiquey style jewelry made from beads and found objects.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NestingNomad?ref=seller_info

Jennifer Kelting Studios.  Beaded jewelry inspired by nature.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jenkelting

For more Asheville artists on Etsy an excellent resource is the Asheville Etsy Street Team blog:

http://avletsy.blogspot.com/

Happy hunting!

Affordable Jewelry

What are some affordable jewelry options right now?

Gold is really high. Everyone is talking about the slow economy. But you still want something new and different to wear on your next evening out.

You still have a few options in affordable jewelry if you think a little creatively. Silver is still very reasonable, semi precious stones are colorful and have a great sparkle, and you can always bring in your old pieces and have them cleaned and re-set. If your set on gold you can always look to older and estate pieces, which most likely have been on inventory since gold was less and sellers are more motivated.

Silver is a great option if you like white metals. You can easily get a whole set for the price of one nice gold piece, so even if you don't own much its not out of range. I like silver because you can get something with some handcrafted detail and design, set with a nice vibrant gemstone. If you bought the same piece in gold it could cost you over 4 times as much, with the same center stone.

Another option for more affordable jewelry are re-vitalizing your old pieces. Bring them in to a good trustworthy bench jeweler and have it cleaned. You'll be surprised at the difference. You may be able to change the stone, add or subtract from the piece to your vision, or just cash in for your next treasure.

And finally look for older, estate pieces. Often these pieces have been on inventory for a while and were purchased when gold was more reasonable. This gives the buyer more wiggle room on the price. Its fun to look at estate pieces, and it can help you think outside the box with your style. Enjoy the hunt!

Varieties of Quartz

Quartz comes in many types used for jewelry making. Many of the most popular types go by a different name, lending confusion to the buying process for many people. The second most abundant mineral on earth, quartz is one of the more affordable gem options, and it remains popular in silver and gold applications. Faceted, it makes a brilliant stone in many different colors. We use quite a bit of quartz for our jewelry, and appreciate it for its hardness, vibrant color (or lack thereof), and affordability. Following are some of the varieties that you commonly come accross:

Amethyst: This is the beautiful violet quartz that comes in many different shades. Amethyst is the birthstone of February. The most valueable amethyst is deep Siberian or deep Russian, and has a deep purple with red hues. Amethyst used to be as valueable as rubies or sapphires but large finds have dropped the price to what it is today. Green quartz is often called green amethyst.

Citrine: The November birthstone citrine ranges in color from clear yellow to reddish brown. They occur in nature but are most often heat treated amethyst. Often mistaken for the more expensive pure topaz, the citrine offers a more affordable option for a beautiful yellow or orange faceted gem.

Carnelian: Translucent reddish brown quartz with a slightly softer composition. Beautiful with light shining through it to highlight the deep color.

Onyx: Onyx is a type of agate that comes in many different colors, often with different color bands running through. Usually polished and formed into smooth cabochons to show off the various colors.

Smokey Quartz: Can be yellowish, but usually brown to black.

In addition to the above varieties, included in the quartz family are the agate, aventurine, and others that we'll save for another time. The most common stones we use here are the amethyst, green amethyst, and the citrine, though others make an appearance when the mood strikes and we find good specimens. We just got in a dendritic agate that looks like a traditional Asian painting. A clear stone with rusty spots, white, and black “trees.” We love the variety available to us with quartz.