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What a wonderful discovery, there is a place on the web where my eclectic nature is joined by that of many others!
My jewelry is as diverse as the stones I come in contact with. The two pieces shown here, "Above the Clouds" and "Everything Is Within" are examples of how I follow the energy of the stones and metal to create eclectic jewelry.
The African tigereye is beautiful, but has a band of dark brown matrix that prevented it being sold by my lapidary friend. Until I came by and we sat at his kitchen table and mixed his stones with mine......the dark band seemed to need balancing, and my
milk opal with the phantom quartz crystal's double termination created a dynamic tension at the apex of the dark matrix band.
The crystal is tapered friction fit into its bezel and swivels from the puddle cast bead. The bead is drilled and has a tube inserted an another hole drilled through. The ball surface was then freehand pattern textured with a diamond cone to resemble
water erosion. The back of the tigereye was finished as nicely as the front and deserved to be revealed. In the rear view you can see how I pierced the back and created a convoluted chain loops with bead ends. I enjoy conveying the fluid phase of metal
in its solid form, implying the irresistible pull of gravity and the freedom the fluidity conveys.
"Everything Is Within" expresses my awareness and gratitude for the grace of a higher power that has given all creation everything it needs. Within itself. The quartz crystal is a Madagascar phantom, one of the most perfect phantom veils I have ever
owned. The emerald crystal is very fine clean gem quality too small to facet, yet perfect to create a dynamic interaction with the polished end of the quartz crystal. The emerald is reflected in the
surface of the quartz and in the inner surface of the hexagonal crystal structure.
The tri-helical mount flows from the puddle cast bead into the chased and repoussed brass that is connected to the silver bezel. The brass forms a rim around the polished quartz end.
When you visit my website you will see other examples and perhaps enjoy feeling the way the pieces evolved to become the unique statements they are.
Something about moi.
Born at mid-century in LA (lower Alabama) I left that pretty miasma at age 18 to be a hippy. After spending most of 1969 in California, I traveled to North Carolina and liked it so much I spent 10 years there... Found that I loved wood and wood working
and still do. In 1979 I sold my worldly possessions and spent 6 months traveling in Europe and Asia... I saw many gem stones everywhere I went and when I ended up in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) I was literally surrounded by the most gorgeous stones on this
planet!
Not being shy, I approached many gem merchants and with the simple message that if they would help me learn the gem trade, I would be more than happy to do business with them and recommend them, and if they cheated me, that I would deal with them only
that one time...Well we all know how gem merchants like repeat business... so I was treated well with very few exceptions... In fact, I have been taken home to meet the families and share meals with them many times.... Sri Lankans remain among the most
beautiful people on our planet.
Upon my return to the States, I found that all the jewelers were most happy to see my "goods" and so I was launched into the gem business. My move to Santa Fe, NM in 1980 was fortuitous and I met many other gem traders and jewelers...Seeing what fun the
jewelers were having setting my stones, I decided to buy some tools and books and teach myself silversmithing. The process continues and I still love learning... Another wonderful aspect of the Eclectic Lapidary is how it facilitates my meeting and
learning from each of you!
What an awesome time to be living.....
All the best in all things.
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Copyright, 1997 by Wm. Augustus Mason
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