A Gem of a Day

Hello dear readers,

Sorry it has been a while...I have been a little" under the weather" as they say, with a sore back.... and had to spend the better part of the week resting. Ah... the joys of ageing!!

Anyway, I am up and running now and want to show you some of the lovely gemstones I recently purchased at a local supplier, Ajit. I was lucky enough to walk in to their shop in Swanston street, Melbourne, when Ajit was having a huge sale, so, of course had to make the most of it!

Unfortunately, I was told their  retail shop was closing, ( last Friday) although I do not know anything about the on-line business. For those that live in Melbourne, I was also told they will still be at The Melbourne Bead Expo, which is on 11th-13th November.

I have been looking for some beads that would go with a stunning lampwork focal I bought recently, when I went to the Flame on Glass 2011 at Kirra Galleries, Melbourne.

I think some of these will definitely fit the bill.

Left to right...labradorite, carnelian, ( forgot to write the name of this one down...it's a very pretty pale blue...looks way too grey here) faceted labradorite again, citrine, moonstone, labradorite again, tanzanite          and garnet.

Just look at this delicious mix! Garnet and Carnelian.

The beautiful jumbled pile.

Those who know me, know that Garnets are special to me for sentimental reasons.

My Mother's name was Garnet as was her Mother.......you can see more about my love of Garnets here if you wish.

That's it for me today...hope you are all enjoying your weekend....

Cheers until next time,

The British Museum

Today we spent a lot of time at The British Museum.
This wonderful building with it's remarkable collection was founded in1753 and spans over 2 million years of human history.
We saw only a small fraction of the exhibits there. I was so impressed and really you could spend a week there and still not see it all.If you get the chance to be in London I would suggest you take a look, it is worth it. Admission is free, a donation is optional. Some special exhibits may have an admission charge. It is also a really beautiful building, light airy and of grand proportions.

Photos.
1. This reconstruction suggests the original arrangement of the jewelry worn by a Sumerian woman in the Royal Graves of Ur.
Lapis Lazuli, carnelian and gold.The gold beads have a bitumen core.

The site of Ur lies in southern Iraq ( modern Tell al-muqagyar). The ancient city was inhabited from as early as the Ubaid period( 6000-4200 BC) until the 4th Century BC.

2.Beads and bud pendants of gold, carnelian and lapis lazuli.
3. A gold and lapis lazuli diadem with pendants of bulls, buds and leaves.
Small animal pendants like these were usually made withhold leaf over a bitumen core.

I saw many beads on exhibition in the museum from different periods, these are just a few that captured my eye from this interesting and ancient site.

Off to breakfast now,

Cheers,
Jenni