Category: In the Rock Lab

What’s going on in our shop these days?

Northern Ontario Quartz

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A few years ago, we lucked into a fabulous batch of gorgeous Quartz that was picked in Northern Ontario.

Just recently, I’ve asked Rob to put a few in the tumbler so that we could see how it would look once it was pre-polished.  Originally, our intent was to use it to create a stunning path between our garden beds (or in other areas, as we’re always planning and *discussing* where this or that goes – ha ha).

This is me looking at the pieces pre-tumble:

 

Vikki Soros working with natural crystals
Vikki Soros working with natural ontario crystals.. aren’t they pretty?

These pieces, at the time, were very very sharp but still amazing looking!

Quartz crystals have a lot of great energy about them.  Many who wear and use them, have talked to me about how relaxed they feel as they remove negative energy to transform it to positive.  This stone is often used for relaxation, meditation and Yoga practices as it helps to center and focus the thoughts.  I do carry a nice selection of quartz on my site if you would like to pop over and have a peek (click here and a new window will open).

The tumbler mix was opened just a few days ago.. after running for over three weeks.  And here’s what came out!

Rob Armstrong Quartz gemstone wicked stones
Rob Armstrong at Wicked Stones checking out our first batch of Ontario Quartz in the rock tumbler

They turned out incredible!

Wicked Stones Ontario Quartz gemstones
Ontario Quartz from our Rock Tumbler at Wicked Stones

I’m thinking that over the winter I’m going to start a whole new section on my website (Wicked Stones) that will feature local and Ontario Gemstone jewelry.

I’ll just need more coffee and be able to clone myself to get all these neat ideas we have done 🙂

Cheers everyone! I’ll try to keep this blog more updated this winter..

Red Jasper From Northern Ontario – A peek into Lapidary work from Wicked Stones

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Vikki Soros and a few pieces of Red Jasper from Wicked Stones
A few pieces of Red Jasper from Wicked Stones

Today is Red Jasper day in the Rock Lab

It’s Cold outside.. brrr.. but Rob is still out there in the Lapidary shop working away on pieces of red Jasper that he picked up in his travels in Northern Ontario.

We’ve gone from the bare rough rock, all the way to polishing it to a gleaming shine (it’s sooo pretty!).  The pieces you see in the photo above are about half way through the polishing process.  Here he is working on the buffing wheel to try to give it more of a shine.

Rob working in the Lapidary shop with Red Jasper at Wicked Stones
Rob working in the Lapidary shop with Red Jasper at Wicked Stones

Here’s a picture of how it’s coming along.

Red Jasper from Northern Ontario by Wicked Stones
Red Jasper from Northern Ontario by Wicked Stones

It’s turning out really amazing so far!

Red Jasper is naturally this colour – no dye has been used to create these rich powerful hues of red, black and white.  If you are drawn to this gem, it’s good for helping to combat against exhaustion and for maintaining physical stamina. In Teutonic legend, the hilt of the magical sword of Siegfried (the dragon slayer and ill fated lover of the mystic Brunhild) was inlaid with red jasper to give him courage.  I find that it also helps to pick me up (mentally) when I’m feeling low and blahhhh….

Red Jasper has a stabilizing effect on the wearer’s energy keeping them calm and balanced – now who can’t use a little of “THAT” these days!?…

It gets you going on days you need a little extra boost and the ability to stay focused no matter what the day throws at you.

Want to recall your dreams? Try putting this gem under your pillow at night.

Red Jasper is a powerful protection stone against psychic and physical threats and will return negative energy to the sender.

I hope you enjoyed this wee peek into our rock shop…

Cheers!