October Birthstone Opal

Opal, October's birthstone, is a complex and colorful gemstone. The beauty of the stone has inspired a variety of beliefs about its powers throughout history. The ancient Romans felt that the opal symbolized hope and purity, and the stone was also believed to protect the wearer from harm. Ancient Greeks believed the opal could give foresight and powers of prophecy. It is said that Cleopatra wore opals to attract Mark Anthony. Queen Victoria was known to collect opals as well. There are many different sorts of opal, and this stone can be found in a variety of colors. The milky appearance in some opals is referred to as “opalescence". The Sterling And Sea Opal Hoops from EmotionalOasis are a gorgeous example of stones with opalescence. When the sun catches them, they look like they are glowing. This creamy white African opal, featured in the lovely Diana necklace by CoolJewelryDesign, is much more opaque: The most precious opals have a striking multicolored look due to diffraction of light through the microstructure of the Opal. Because the most precious stones tend to be quite expensive, synthetic opals are available with the same gorgeous multicolored appearance. Only a few manufacturers make synthetic opal with structural similarity to the natural stone, and Gilson Opal is considered the best. This Fine Silver and Gilson Opal Ring from Jewelry24Seven features a Gilson Opal with gorgeous play of color. Peruvian Opal is also called blue opal–this blue-green stone is striking in this Peruvian Opal Sterling Charm and Leather Necklace by Marcie Jane Designs: These classic earrings by GlitzGlitter showcase blue opals as well: These Green Opal Earrings by PiecesOfIndigo are a beautiful example of the gemstone's varying coloration: This lovely pink Delicate Opal Pendant by OvgilliesDesigns shows opalescence: Like the styles of the Jewelry on Etsy team members, opals can be quite diverse, and always beautiful. Stop by Etsy and check out all the newest jewelry from the Jewelry on Etsy Team by searching JETTEAM in the search box on Etsy’s home page. Posted by Juliaa .

JET Geography Jerseylicious!

Don’t believe what you see in reality shows. The real New Jersey is a wide spectrum of talented artists, many of which grace our team. Even some members that have since moved away from New Jersey still remain devoted Jersey girls. Pam from cooljewelrydesign is a New Jersey transplant now living in Alpharetta, Georgia near Atlanta. Here is her lime, orange, silver eclectic bracelet entitled Got my Eye on YOU

Barbara from CapitalCityCrafts hails from Trenton, New Jersey. Her Silver and Brass Acorn Charm is a must have for the upcoming fall season. Michele from Malves1009 is from Jackson, New Jersey. Her take on elegant vintage style jewelry cannot be missed. These Hammered Hoop Copper earrings are to die for! And Debbie from stoutdg2, from Central New Jersey has what every Jersey girl needs. This fall inspired Metallic Wild Okra Necklace is a great way to kick off the fall season.

Stop by Etsy and check out all the newest jewelry from the Jewelry on Etsy Team by searching JETTEAM in the search box on Etsy’s home page.

Green in August: Peridot

Green in August Peridot is the August birthstone. It is the gemstone variety of olivine and is the only gemstone found in meteorites! It only comes in one color - green - but the shade of green will vary depending on how much iron is present. The color can vary from yellow-green to a dark green, similar to emeralds. Metaphysically speaking peridot is a stone of lightness and beauty. A very spiritual person can wear peridot in a necklace with the stone at the base of the throat and feel its soothing effect. When used in a necklace, peridot is a protector against negative emotions. Here are some beautiful peridot creations by our Jewelry On Etsy team members ... GlitzGlitter created this beautiful peridot focal necklace. The focal is a gorgeous, faceted peridot loosely wirewrapped in sterling silver wire and hanging on a sterling silver chain. OneGarnetGirl created this gorgeous peridot ring in sterling silver CapitalCityCrafts created this gorgeous peridot and pearl necklace in sterling silver cserpent created these white agate earrings with just a hint of peridot in sterling silver beiMondi created this six strand bracelet with peridot chips and navy blue seed beads silversmack created this hammered fine silver necklace with a peridot briolette Be sure to check out all the other gorgeous peridot creations handmade by the Jewelry on Etsy team.

Exciting things happening!

Our team members have been having a wonderful summer so far! Some have been enjoying the outdoors, going to the beach with our families. Others have been traveling to far away lands. Still others have been hard at work, selling loads of pretties at local art fairs. Our blog has been busy too. Behind the scenes, we are gearing up for a whole bunch of fun new posts. In the coming weeks, we'll be getting to know our members on a more personal level, behind the bling. We will have a variety of posts highlighting our jewelry, artist interviews, more team challenges, and lots more! We'll feature some of our favorite materials to work with, and hopefully, even have some tutorials on learning new techniques. We'll have lots of gift giving ideas, and who knows, maybe a few giveaways! Now who doesn't love that?! I've always been so proud to be a member of this team and have enjoyed the diversity of its members along with the whacky humor that swirls around our chats like, well, a JET engine! So I hope you'll stop back and see what's new and exciting from the Jewelry on Etsy Team! In the meantime, you can find plenty of stunning jewelry by typing JETTEAM in the little search box on Etsy's homepage.

Happy Birthday Etsy!!

June 18, 2010 is a special day. Its ETSY's fifth birthday! The JET TEAM - Jewelry on ETSY Team - is celebrating this great event. There will be sales in some of the JET shops during the weekend of June 18th through the 20th. Search jetteam in the tag section and look at the shops' announcement for more details.

A virtual chat room has been set up by the JET team, for 9pm EST on Friday, June 18, 2010. Come join in the fun with us and share a success story, photo or other momentous event. Here's a link to the chat: http://www.etsy.com/virtual_lab.php?room_id=sky There are a number of treasuries that have been created by members of the team. Be sure to visit them all to see the great items for sale by many of the fabulous shops on ETSY.

Have you made a treasury to celebrate? Check out the lovely treasuries made by our members to celebrate Etsy's 5th Birthday: 3Squares - Happy Birthday in black and white

AbacusBeadCreations - Happy Birthday etsy from the jet team

AdriotJewelers - Happy Happy Birthday Etsy

Beadsme - Its Birthday Time

Beadznbling - Happy Birthday To Etsy

CoolJewelryDesign - Etsy BirthdayVibes

FuchsiaBloomStudio - Just a Little Birthday Wish for Etsy

JemsbyJBand Company - Everybody Loves a Party

LotusStone - Tea Party for your Birthday

MadebyTammy - Happy Birthday Etsy

Malves1009 - Happy Birthday Etsy

Metalicious - Happy Birthday Etsy

NightSkyJewelry I Love Birthdays

OliviasGarden - Happy Birthday Etsy - A Red-Hot Present to Celebrate!

PeacesofIndigo - Happy BDay Etsy Baby

SilverCanyons - Birthday Wishes

SilverSmack - You Say Its Your Birthday Etsy? Well ...

TheBeadGirl Todays Your Birthday - Happy Birthday to You! Etsy!!!

TheBrassHussy Happy Birthday Etsy-Champagne Wishes

Best wishes to ETSY for many more years of success!!!

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in handcrafted jewelry and custom size bracelets and chains. This article may be reproduced provided it contains this author's statement and all links remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards