Jet of the Day - The Silver Bear

 

Mexican Fire Opal Faceted Heart Necklace

Hi! I’m Augie, otherwise known as The Silver Bear.
Where did “The Silver Bear” come from?
Well … my nickname among family and friends has always been Bear or Bearsie, so when I started making jewelry, as I work primarily with sterling silver, it just seemed the logical way to go.

Amethyst Stalactite and Sterling Necklace

I trained as a silversmith way back in the dim, dark, distant past, then didn’t touch it for almost 40 years, so these days I’m pretty much starting from scratch again, slowly.

Blue Topaz and Sterling Necklace

 I’m a graduate gemologist, hence my tendency to work primarily with natural, quality gem materials. I have always gravitated towards some of the more unusual materials such as pyritized Ammonite, Tektite, Agatized Dinosaur Bone, Mexican Fire Opal, Larimar, Chrome Diopside etc. I also have a thing for gemstone intarsias, and have about 200 waiting to be made into items of jewelry.

Gemstone Intarsia Necklace

I’ve collected mineral specimens, rocks & gems for over 40 years (besides a whole heap of other stuff you don’t want to know about)! My two primary areas of interest are Turquoise and Jade. I set out 30 years ago to acquire a Turquoise specimen from every named mine in the U.S. southwest & Mexico, & am probably ¾ of the way there, with over 150 mines crossed off the list, as well as most other global localities.

Dragonskin Turquoise

My collection of Jades (both Nephrite & Jadeite) is also pretty extensive. I was quite chuffed last year to be asked to exhibit some of my New Zealand Nephrite at a prestigious mineral show, & even more chuffed when the curator of minerals at the South Australian Museum awarded it the trophy for Best Exhibit.

Stunning Larimar and Sterling Necklace

These days I’m trying to take life a little easier, after 45 years in the workforce, first as an RSPCA Officer, then a Fire Service Officer, both of which resulted in cramming about 70 years work into 45 years. I’m learning a whole new set of skills, like chainmaille, & life is good.

Thanks for reading.
Augie