The rainy season seems to be behind us now and all around are signs that spring has arrived. Little sprigs of green and the early blooms of daffodil, poppies, and lupine. And with this new season comes a new selection of artisan adornment.
If I was going to name this collection, it would be Perseverance. The reason is that I began conceptualizing this collection in Spring 2021. But life happens and priorities shift. I had to step away from the bench for quite a while, BUT I never gave up!! Here we are a full two years later, and I’m thrilled to say that I have finally completed each piece. I’ve worked behind the scenes on these beauties as time would permit. I finished some last summer, but it didn’t feel right listing them individually in the shop, so instead I held them back to wait until their companions were ready.
So friends, I present to you the latest additions to the shop ~ I hope you find them as lovely
Today is the launch of my Fall 2022 collection. I am so happy to be sharing these new pieces with you. It has been a long absence from the studio and I am so happy to be back at the bench creating. I hope you will find something you connect to in this beautiful collection of fall inspired jewelry pieces. I have tried to curate a group of stones that invoke the warm, cozy feeling of sweater weather, combined with a bit of magick from the season. Today’s launch is the beginning, I will be adding additional pieces to this collection in the coming weeks. Thanks for stopping by!
✨ Because I use both treated and untreated crystals in my jewelry offerings I thought I would take a few minutes to talk about the different treatments used on quartz crystals. ✨
It’s my pleasure to create beautiful pieces of jewelry made with the highest quality stones I can find and also pleasing to look at. After all, adornment is all about finding something that is both aesthetically pleasing and fun to wear! That is why I offer natural untreated stones and crystals as well as the treated varieties of crystals. And if these treated stones appeal to you, by all means buy them – I will be the first to admit that while I LOVE natural stones, there is a very appealing aesthetic to the beautiful colors available of Aura Quartz. I have quite a few in my personal collection! The thing is, I want you to be able to recognize the differences in quality.
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We can all agree that no Aura Quartz is actually ‘natural’ – they’ve all been altered by humans one way or another, but they all start with a natural quartz crystal.
What I’m going to talk about today is the different treatments and how you can tell the difference.
High Quality Aura Assortment
Coatings or treatments of crystals are a common way to create new colors not found in nature.
Years ago it was discovered that you could take a somewhat tough mineral (quartz) and place it in a vacuum chamber, heat it to a very high temperature (about 1600 F) and fuse it with an element (precious metal) in gas form. The result is a durable, permanent bond that gives a beautiful sparkle and color to the crystal.
The most common of these elements are gold, titanium, indium and iron oxide.
Gold creates blue, or Aqua Aura. Titanium produces an opalescent white coating, or Angel Aura. Indium produces a violet hue and gives us those beautiful Tanzanite Auras, and Iron Oxide colors the quartz a gorgeous orange, with a vibrant sparkle we call Sunset Aura or Tangerine Aura.
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Of course technology is always moving forward, and the demand for more colors and more affordable options introduced a ‘new’ treatment of dying and Teflon coating. This is often referred to as “Jelly Quartz” or “Jelly Aura”. The Teflon coating gives the quartz a nice rainbow effect, but… one of the reasons for the cost savings is that the coating is sprayed on to the stone. By spraying the coating on the stone, you create a surface that can be easily scratched. Also, if you have ever sprayed paint on a multi edged surface, I’m sure you have noticed that the paint is much thinner on the edges. This can lead to a very unappealing look when that coating starts to wear off, especially if the stone is a hybrid, which is a crystal that exhibits multiple colors. The alternative I have seen is the application of several coats which actually gives the crystal more rounded edges.
Notice the scratched appearance
Notice the lack of color on the edges and the scratched appearance
The color is beautiful on this Jelly Aura, but notice how the edges are rounded and the detailing of the crystal growth is muted by the coating?
In my experience, the easiest way to visibly identify the differences in the ‘Jelly Aura’ as opposed to the higher quality vacuum Aura is to look for a diamond or square patterning on one side the stone. See the photo on the left as opposed to the same crystals on the right?
Teflon Coated “Jelly Aura” Crystals
“Good” Side of the same crystals
The second way to identify is by how the crystal feels. The texture on the jelly crystal is very different from its counterpart, as it has a super smooth texture and in some cases will almost feel like a thick varnish. You won’t get that with the vacuum bonding, because it is a micro fine fused layer, so the crystal will feel almost like its natural counterpart.
Note the fine etchings on the crystal are still visible and the edges are sharp on this high quality Angel Aura.
The color is beautiful on this Jelly Aura, but notice how the edges are rounded and the detailing of the crystal growth is muted by the coating?
Finding a crystal that speaks to you is a very personal journey and you should always choose the one that speaks to you. This article is simply meant to furnish you with information. I hope you found this article both helpful and informative.
Artist Note:
You may find that from time to time I offer a piece with the Teflon coating – but you can be assured that when I include this type of treated crystal in a jewelry piece or home decor item, it will be noted in the description. Sometimes as stated above, it is about the aesthetic and what is pleasing to the eye. 98% of my Aura crystals are high quality, true vacuum fused Aura’s.
For additional info regarding other treatments being used on a variety of stones and crystals, you can check out the following website: TheVug.com
🌌 What is Electroforming? The Alchemy Behind Your Copper Talismans
In the world of handcrafted jewelry, few techniques blend science, metalwork, and raw artistry quite like Electroforming.
Here at The Amethyst Moon, we don’t just use this technique, we treat it as a true form of modern alchemy. It is the essential process that gives our signature copper jewelry and gemstone mobiles their rich, organic, and earthy texture, transforming raw crystals into powerful, wearable talismans.
How Magic is Made: The Electroforming Process
Electroforming is a meticulously slow, technical process that uses electricity to “grow” metal, in our case, pure copper-onto a non-metallic surface.
Preparation: We begin by hand-selecting natural stones and crystals (like the raw Quartz points and Amethyst clusters you see in our collection).
The Conductive Coat: Since copper needs a conductor, the entire piece is painted by hand with a special conductive paint. This step requires careful control to shape the metal before the process even begins, ensuring the final piece maintains its organic flow.
The Copper Bath: The prepared piece is submerged in a chemical solution (an electrolyte bath) and connected to a low-voltage electrical current. Slowly, over many hours, pure copper particles bond and grow onto the painted surface.
The Result: The copper forms an organic metal shell, perfectly mirroring the contours and raw beauty of the natural stone underneath.
🌿 Why We Love Electroformed Copper
Electroforming is essential to the The Amethyst Moon aesthetic, reflecting our commitment to raw, earth-centered art:
Organic Texture: Unlike traditional silversmithing where metal is hammered or shaped, electroforming allows the metal to take on a completely free-flowing, rustic, and molten texture. This technique honors the natural, untamed beauty of the crystal.
Energy & Amplification:Copper is not only beautiful but also holds powerful metaphysical properties. Historically associated with the goddess Venus and considered an excellent energy conductor, copper is said to amplify the stone’s energy, making your talisman a more potent focal point for intention, healing, and creativity.
Unique Artistry: Every electroformed piece, from the way the copper flows around a rough Amethyst druzy to the rustic setting of a Carnelian slice, is truly one-of-a-kind and impossible to replicate, mirroring your own unique journey.
Care and Connection
When you wear or display your electroformed piece, you are wearing an intersection of nature, chemistry, and artistry. The copper is often oxidized to achieve that rich, deep patina that enhances its earthy charm.
Electroformed jewelry requires the same mindful care as all your precious talismans. By understanding the intricate, slow-made process, you deepen your connection to the energy held within your chosen piece.
Explore our collection of Electroformed Talisman Necklaces and Gemstone Mobiles to find the next piece of organic copper art for your spiritual journey.
What a magical evening spent soaking up the energy Luna offered during this Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse. And as usual she did not disappoint, even though we had cloudy mist filled skies, her beauty was undeniable. I hope you all took some time to enjoy the evening and release the heaviness you’ve been carrying. This first full moon of the year is all about letting go of those things that have been weighing us down. Release of the old to accept what is new and waiting for us to bring into this next season. But remember, to let go of the past or to move into new things isn’t all bad, it’s not all loss and sadness, for some of the very things that we can release are the things that will set us free to explore the new opportunities that this new year and new cycle will bring.
I hope you enjoy these photos I captured last night. I was able to capture just a bit of her majesty ~ the quality isn’t fantastic, my little Nikon Coolpix only has a stock point and shoot lens, but I think they are pretty cool!
Sorry in advance for the sensory overload!!
This first batch is the moon rise, I think the neighbors tree has added a bit of magic, but as Luna rose and the clouds started drifting by, the real magic ensued…
These next shots are of right before the Penumbral period of the eclipse
Now we move into the Prenubral period of the eclipse, when shadow starts it’s play across the Goddess
As we moved into full eclipse the clouds really started moving in and the mist was so heavy at one point my lens fogged up. It was a balancing act of my full moon ritual and photography by this point, but I was able to capture some beautiful imagery…
Even if you missed last nights eclipse, Luna is at her fullest tonight and will still imbue your spirit with her energy and love.
And so I leave you now my friends to enjoy this next phase and will meet you again under the new moon on February 4th ~ Until then I shall be busy in the studio creating all things moon magic including some surprises inspired by this superb wolf moon!!
