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 […]
The Raw Blog
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”.
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 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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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.
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 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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Crystals have been universally regarded as valuable and a source of protection and healing. The ancient
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.
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.