Did you know that Arizona is America's leading gem mining state? Here you will find vivid, natural colors of Amethyst, Peridot, Turquoise and Garnet that just seem to come alive in our desert southwest. I've spoken a while back about our Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and our Copper mining that we have in our state, so today I'm going to tell you about the Amethyst mine that we have just east of downtown Phoenix. As a little girl, I was raised in Scottsdale on the edge of town and the Salt Rive Indian Reservation. From that point east there was nothing to obstruct the view of the Four Peaks mountains. At night we could see the lights way up on the side of the mountain, between the two southern peaks. This is where the mine is located. You can see the mine is this photo towards the right between the two most southern peaks.
The Four Peaks Lode as it is commonly known, was discovered back in the 18th century. It is one of the most unique gem mines in the world. Now, after many years of inactivity, the mine is being worked and we will again see the helicopter flights. You see, this mine is in a very remote spot up on the side of a mountain about 60 miles east of Phoenix, up about 7,100 feet in elevation. The location of the amethyst mine is at one of the most remote and rugged parts of the Mazatzals mountains, the Four Peaks Wilderness Area in the Tonto National Forest. Therefore, the only way in is by foot trails or helicopters. All the mining is done by hand for the most part and the precious uncut Amethyst is carried out by mules or helicopters. The miners usually stay there in the mine shafts for protection up to seven days at a time, then they either hike back out with their mules or take a helicopter ride back to the valley floor.
Amethyst is known for it's extremely powerful and protective strengths. It has strong healing and cleansing powers and enchances spiritual awareness. For centuries, amethyst has been considered the royal gem because of its color. Purple was the emblem of rank or authority and the color most often associated with European monarchs. It has been reported through Spanish history that significant shipments of these gems found their way into crown jewels of five countries back in the 18th century.
The Mineralogical Record of March 1976 describes the process by which these crystals were formed. "The amethyst of this deposit occur in linings of voids in faults of the Mazatzal quartzite. The voids were intermittently filled with hot liquid solutions from intrusions below. Successive stages of quartz deposition occurred, as evidenced by alternating concentric rings of colorless quartz, hematite and amethyst around the angular fragments." The purple color that enhances the quartz is caused by the presence of manganese in these hot solutions that flooded the cavities in the uplifted peaks millions of years ago. The more valuable darker colors reflect a higher manganese content. The value is also dependent upon its clarity or lack of foreign material in the solution as it was being deposited.
It is known that a prospector named Jim McDaniels did rediscover the deposit about 1900. He was following a quartz "float", usually a good precursor to gold. Instead he found the canyon floor littered with purple crystals. This is what gives the Four Peaks that purplish look. Gold and silver were the only objectives of most prospectors in those days so the site was merely noted and left untouched. They didn't start mining this site until the 1940's and it was active for about 50 years. They closed the mine then, but recently it has been reopened again and the mining has continued.
Arizona is probably the only state in the U.S. which produces top quality stones, according the Ken Phillips Chief Engineer for the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources Department. He further says, "The best amethyst from the Four Peaks mine is considered to be as good as that found anywhere in the world." Another reference book, Mineralogy in Arizona, states, "Superb gem-quality amethyst of a rich, red-violet color was produced from the Four Peaks mine and rivals the best Siberian material, which is the standard of the gem trade."
I am the proud owner of a piece of this precious Amethyst that came from this mine. It is really exquisite! It measures about 6 inches by 4 inches in diameter. It's quite a big specimen. Honestly, I'm not sure how my family acquired this amethyst, but it was my brother who brought it into the family. While he was in college he was studying Geology, and his class would travel all over the state for geology expeditions. As you can see, it's a rough cut, this is how it comes out of the mine. But it has the richness of the deep purples and light lavenders. It truly is breathtaking.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Amethyst in Arizona. Next I'll do some research on the Peridot and Garnets in our state.
Have a great day!
Peace~
I'm having a 15% off everything in my Etsy Shop only this weekend. It's sort of a "Before Christmas Blow Out Sale!" This also includes all my already clearanced items.
I've also listed a new brooch yesterday. It's called Angel Wings, even though my husband said that it looks like a whale and my daughter said it looked like a musical note. So this brooch can be whatever you want it to be, but for me, it's an angel wing. She's made of copper wire formed into a wing, then I wire wrapped small frsh water pearls around the wing. I added some Swarovski crystals just for the sparkle.
Good Morning Everyone!
Here's the deal, I'm having a different sale in both shops. So come on "buy" and see what you can find.
"GRAND OPENING"
For those of "us" who have websites and sell online, we know the importance of having a good digital camera. For most of us, we depend on the Macros. Macros are when we need to take a close up of something. My first digital camera was a first generation Kodak. The Macros died in that camera. We who are jewelry designers know how important the Macros are. So I bought a second camera. A Sony Cyber Shot, and I have no clue what has happened to this one. It just died! I've only had it for three years. I was online with a Sony rep the other night and we tried to restore the camera back to it's default stage. It didn't work. He told me that I needed to take it into a Sony repair dealer. It's going to cost me $121.00 just to have them look at the camera! That doesn't count any of the repairs and labor. It's going to cost Way too much to fix it! So....I'm looking for a new camera! I'm OVERWHELMED!!! There are just so many out there. I just want the camera to take close up pictures. One would think that would be an easy choice, but NOOOO it isn't!
So, if any of you have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know! I don't want to pay a lot, the dang things don't seem that last long. My last one I paid a small fortune for it, and it only lasted three years. 
I have met a very delightful person on Artfire. We both just happen to live in Arizona. She lives up in Flagstaff, one of the most beautiful parts of our state. Her name is Holly of SpoiledBratzwear on Artfire.
Here's my newest hoop earrings. I really enjoy making hoop earrings. I'll have to work on this and make some more! Hope is made of a thick gauge sterling silver wire, but the part that goes through your ear is 20 gauge. They've been tumbled to give them strength and shine. They have not been oxidized, but that can be done if you wish at not extra charge to you. I hammered part of the hoops just to give them a different texture. These are being offered in two of my shops, my Artfire Studio and my Etsy Shop.
I did list another lapel pin the end of this week on Etsy. It's called Evergreen. It's made of pure copper and Peridot gemstones. I really like the simplicity of this one. I think I'll have to make one for myself! LOL!
Did you know that Arizona is America's leading gem mining state? Here you will find vivid, natural colors of Amethyst, Peridot, Turquoise and Garnet that just seem to come alive in our desert southwest. I've spoken a while back about our Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and our Copper mining that we have in our state, so today I'm going to tell you about the Amethyst mine that we have just east of downtown Phoenix. As a little girl, I was raised in Scottsdale on the edge of town and the Salt Rive Indian Reservation. From that point east there was nothing to obstruct the view of the Four Peaks mountains. At night we could see the lights way up on the side of the mountain, between the two southern peaks. This is where the mine is located. You can see the mine is this photo towards the right between the two most southern peaks.
The Mineralogical Record of March 1976 describes the process by which these crystals were formed. "The amethyst of this deposit occur in linings of voids in faults of the Mazatzal quartzite. The voids were intermittently filled with hot liquid solutions from intrusions below. Successive stages of quartz deposition occurred, as evidenced by alternating concentric rings of colorless quartz, hematite and amethyst around the angular fragments." The purple color that enhances the quartz is caused by the presence of manganese in these hot solutions that flooded the cavities in the uplifted peaks millions of years ago. The more valuable darker colors reflect a higher manganese content. The value is also dependent upon its clarity or lack of foreign material in the solution as it was being deposited.
Good Morning Everyone! 
are the greatest! But what I really missed, was my coffee in the morning. Oh, I can have coffee, but no cream. Bummer! So I've come up with this idea. I make really strong coffee, put it in my smoothie machine, add ice, Splenda and some chocolate sauce. It is delicious! I can have it all day long, no calories, sugar nor carbs! What else do I want? Seriously, it is really good and I make one every morning. Love it! 
While I was sitting around this weekend not doing much, I decided to make this pair of earrings. I love to make clusters, they are so pretty. So Violet was born. She's really pretty, don't you think? She loves to show off her gems, as in stones. Now don't go thinking something different! She's made of artisan handmade lampwork beads, amethyst, garnets and sterling silver. You can find her temporary home in my etsy shop. Just click on her name and she'll be happy to show off her gems!
* ENTIRE ETSY SHOP ON SALE THIS WEEKEND ONLY!*
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. "
