Category: Raw Blog

Image of coronavirus by wikipedia

Hype vs. Fact. The Coronavirus Pandemic is Not an Overreaction – It’s Simply About the Math

The state of the coronavirus two weeks ago in California About two weeks ago, March 1st, I was lunching with a very good friend of mine to celebrate her birthday. After our usual catch-up and general girl-talk, our conversation inevitably turned to the topic of Coronavirus. I was eager to get her take on the […]

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August 2019 Mineral of the Month: Peridot

Raw peridot in light green color
Source WikiMedia

AUGUST BIRTHSTONE: PERIDOT

It somehow seems fitting that the stone celebrating those born in a hot summer month is Peridot. In fact, the ancient Egyptians referred to Peridot as the “gem of the sun”.

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July 2019 Mineral of the Month: Ruby

july birthstone ruby

JULY BIRTHSTONE: RUBY

Is it getting hot in here? Cuz, ruby is fire! It’s officially summer and the July birthstone is coming in hot hot hot. With its deep red hues, the stone stirs intensity, passion, courage, love, and emotion.
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June 2019 Mineral of the Month: Pearl

june birthstone pearl

JUNE BIRTHSTONE: PEARL

Instead of having one standard birthstone, June babies are bestowed the freedom to choose from three birthstones: pearl , moonstone, and alexandrite – a stone of shifting colors that is apparently rarer than the diamond.
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9 Tips for Tapping Into A Creative Mindset

how to get into a creative mindset
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A Guide to Unleashing Your Creative Mind

Recently, at a monthly dinner with my girl gang, who btw is the best group of bad-ass babes ever, a friend asked me about how I get into the creative mindset. For context, this group of ladies and I met in a professional setting.

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May 2019 Mineral of the Month: Emerald

may birthstone raw emeralds
The May birthstone, emerald, shown here in its raw form.

MAY BIRTHSTONE: EMERALD

The May birthstone, Emerald, has been prized across cultures over centuries. Perhaps the most famous historical figure we associate with emeralds is Cleopatra. Read more

April 2019 Mineral of the Month: Diamond

raw diamonds, learn about the meaning of diamonds
Image Credit – Laurent Boeki Productions – Copyright © 2014

APRIL BIRTHSTONE: DIAMOND

Diamond, the April birthstone, is known as the “king” of all crystals or “Stone of Invincibility.” Made of pure carbon, a diamond possesses the strongest crystal structure of all naturally occurring minerals. In the modern world, we traditionally associate diamonds with engagement rings. They have become a token of love and commitment and fondly known to be “a girl’s best friend.” But these associations are derivative of its earliest symbolism.  
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I’m Pretty Sure Crystal Healing is Real

Crystals have been universally regarded as valuable and a source of protection and healing. The ancient

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March 2019 Mineral of the Month: Aquamarine

aquamarine march birthstone

MARCH BIRTHSTONE: AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine, the March birthstone, is a blue variety of the mineral Beryl. The Beryl family comes in other color varieties like green, producing gemstones like Emerald. With its cool blue hues, the stone has a tranquilizing nature, conjuring soothing reflections of the vast ocean. Interestingly, it is in the stories made of legend and lore, that aquamarine was used as a talisman. The stone was thought to manifest courage and strength, protecting seafarers through their journeys at sea. This is the stone of mermaids and sailors.   

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All That Glitters Is Not Gold

gold glitter horizontal image
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GOLD-PLATED vs GOLD-FILLED, THE DEMYSTIFICATION OF ALL THINGS GOLD

I don’t know about you, but for me, buying gold jewelry can get a little confusing. Before I started making jewelry, my knowledge was quite limited. I mean, for the longest time, I didn’t understand the difference in gold-plated vs gold-filled. I assumed they were interchangeable terms. Pardon my naivete. Spoiler alert. Turns out they aren’t. Far from it. 

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