Despite a short stint wanting diamonds and sparkle while in college, my mature jewelers taste is more about gold than clear sparkly cut stones. Cabochon and opaque stones are another story.
Growing up, my Mom wore a cabochon lapis lazuli ring every day. The bold blue with the streak of gold running through it was and still is - the reason I want to create jewelry. So much more than the actual ring, the fact that I can wear something everyday that takes me to my childhood, that reminds me of kind of hands-on mother my Mom was to me is magical.
"Jewelry has the power to symbolize a time or place and embody a part of your life." -Jane Winchester Paradis
When I told my mom the story behind Jane Win, that I wanted each piece to be the item that you wear everyday and your kids covet because it reminds them of you so intensely, she asked me what piece that was of hers. It was not the Winchester diamonds or giant sapphire earrings - it was the simple blue cabochon ring that she wore everyday. And she took it off her finger and gave it to me immediately.
Do you have a piece that you lovingly covet? I’d love to see pics or hear about it.
Here are some fun things about this ring:
Much of the time both lapis and turquoise are set in silver. NOT MY SPEED! Love it when you take these opaque ‘flat’ stones and set them in gold or even better rose gold. SO CHIC.
Cabochon stones are normally lacquered or coated to make the flat stone shine. Originally this ring was coated...but when my parents redid the floors of the farmhouse themselves, she stripped the coating off. So the ring now has a ‘flat’ appearance - which makes it cooler!
So let’s talk a little about Lapis the stone. It’s got great history:
Lapis is the latin word for stone. I KNEW latin at the Groton School would come in handy (not really lol, it’s all on wikipedia).
In ancient Egypt, lapis lazuli was a favorite stone for amulets and ornaments such as scarabs. There’s something very sophisticated about how the Egyptians layered their jewelry and carved stone.
Lapis is a universal symbol of wisdom and truth. If you are looking for stones/crystals for healing, Lapis is an excellent stone for executives, stimulating wisdom and good judgment. It drives the desire for knowledge, truth and understanding, and aids the process of learning. It is excellent for enhancing memory. Now THAT is something I need.
