Components

*Sunstone briolettes, Prasiolite
*Chinese keshi (freshwater) pearls
*Faceted freshwater pearls
*Sterling earrings, findings
*Necklace is signed, numbered, dated

Length: 16" - 27" (41 cm - 70 cm)(when braided) Shown on model at shortest length
Weight: 5.9 oz (167 gm)

Earring drop length: 1 5/8" (4 cm)
Earring weight: 5.1 gm ea (a nickel weighs about 5 gm)

Item #662 - Sold

Sunstone Keshi Necklace and Earrings

Sunstone Keshi Necklace
Sunstone Keshi Necklace Detail
Sunstone Keshi Necklace on model
Sunstone Keshi Earrings
Sunstone Keshi Necklace
Hover to zoom, Click to expand

This is a three-strand necklace which is shown braided so it makes a luscious collar. The three strands can be un-braided if you prefer. One strand has the big, flat Chinese keshi pearls. Another strand consists of smallish, clear Prasiolite (green amethyst) chips. The third has incredibly sparkly, densely-colored Sunstone briolettes with small dark-green faceted pearls interspersed.

The Sunstone in this necklace most likely came from Oregon. The detail photo shows one of the briolettes that looks like it is lit from within. You can see it is full of spangles and conveys how much sparkle (schiller) these stones display. The spangles and density of color are related to the amount of red copper inclusions in the stones. Simmons calls it a stone of personal power, freedom and expanded consciousness. Melody mentions it was used by Canadian Indians in medicine wheel rituals. Note that our Sunstone is not related to the fascinating "sunstone" (possibly calcite) which was used in a most clever way to enable medieval navigation.

Why do green quartz, green amethyst and Prasiolite all look alike? The wiki article on Prasiolite seems to contradict itself as it starts by defining it as green quartz which occurs naturally from a small Brazilian mine. Then it says Prasiolite is heat-treated amethyst. It should probably have said that most Prasiolite is heat-treated amethyst, or maybe Simmons is correct and the naturally occurring material may have originally been amethyst that was heated by volcanic activity. It is curious that only some amethyst turns green upon heating, most turns to citrine instead. In Tucson one year I saw a huge piece of a vug that was shaped like a shallow bowl at least 5' across and covered with gemmy green amethyst/Prasiolite crystals. It was amazing! At any rate, in researching the subject I found that by calling these stones "green amethyst" as they were called by the vendor I am violating Federal Trade Commission Guidelines (though "greened amethyst" may be OK). Oops. The Book of Stones gives one of its keywords as "Awakening the heart." Ahsian mentions that it "assists those who are ungrounded in connecting with the Earth."

Whether you have any interest in what the components are, in the metaphysical properties of the stones, or in Federal Trade Commission rules, I hope you will like this set. Please order it today and enjoy its rich color and complex texture.