Raising The Bar, Baby

So...

Tri-Stone Opal & Purple CZ

October has proven a bit chilly but things in the D.S.C. family are heating up. New stones, new metals & a lot more pieces made completely from scratch. That's what we're up to here.

I've been in my workshop with some sterling silver and some really cool, new gems like rubies, spinel, emeralds and more. Xenia and I have been coming up with designs together. It has truly become a family business and it's growing by leaps, bounds and contractions.

That's right. Contractions.

Along with expecting new designs, we're expecting a new member of the D.S.C. family. A priceless jewel. Due later this month. Our new baby. Hence the big push for opal. Our little one's birthstone. It's also one of my favorites. I already have a piece made for our little one. You'll get to see it when it's on the baby. Check back from time to time.

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I've always had an attraction to shiny, sparkly things. When I was a toddler I used to go to department stores with my mother and spend a good amount of time staring at the Swarovski Crystal case. The way the light played off the surface of the facets always made me feel relaxed. The same could be said about stones like moonstone and labradorite. 

South Australian Opal Triplet

Later, I found opals just as - if not more - appealing. It was on a trip to a jewelry store to pick up a gift for a friend. I couldn't have been more than nine or ten years old. I stood in front of a case of opal jewelry and drooled. I didn't want to look away. The shimmer and shine was different but the fire in the stone just seemed peaceful.

"Opal's internal structure makes it diffract light; depending on the conditions in which it formed it can take on many colors. Opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of these hues, the reds against black are the most rare, whereas white and greens are the most common. It varies in optical density from opaque to semi-transparent. For gemstone use, its natural color is often enhanced by placing thin layers of opal on a darker underlying stone, like basalt."

~From Wikipedia~

Look out for more opal jewelry from the Dark Side.

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Anubis Egyptian Sterling Silver Ring 

Inspiration comes from a great deal of places. This time it's coming from Italy. I've never met the owner of this shop in person but we have corresponded via Etsy. His name is Arosha Luigi Taglia and his Etsy site is full of awesomeness like the Anubis Ring to the right.

"My work ranges from visual arts (sculpturing, painting, digital art) to jewelry design. I like to experiment with every material possible - plastic, silver, gold, metals, textiles, vintage pieces etc..

My work is presented in art, design, fashion and jewelry galleries all over the world."

~From Arosha's Etsy Profile~

Make your way to his shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/arosha) and take a look at some of the beauty he creates. Let him know you were sent by Dark Side Customs.

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~Bobby~