One of a Kind Designs
Inspiration for our unique one of a kind jewelry comes from many different places. The gemstones always dictate their design but how we choose which gemstones to work with is often pretty random. Right now, the weather is hot hot hot and it makes me think of strong powerful colors. Red, for example, sizzles and smolders. True red gemstones, not … [Read more...]
Color plays a major part in most people’s world. Everywhere we look we can marvel at the diversity and intensity of the colors around us. In the unusual gemstones that MK Designs features, color is obviously an essential element but there is so much more to savor. The rich history is fascinating as many of these stones date back thousands, if not … [Read more...]
It’s Monday and we are excited about our new Shop Save and Play game! We have chosen to feature two exquisitely designed pieces starring the rare and exotic gemstone Zultanite. There are many things to love about this gem. Zultanite possesses a natural beauty, it is quite rare and it is very wearable. As if that were not enough, its color … [Read more...]
I always say that the gemstones dictate their designs and that is so true. I have been working with a really amazing Diaspore trying to fit her into the sketch I came up with but to no avail. She simply refuses. This gem is so beautiful that she wants to star in a simple design that allows her to display her color change characteristics. So, with a … [Read more...]
Finally! I have time to “work” in my lab. I use the term work loosely because this is one of the most exciting parts of my profession! First, I set up all of my equipment, which I keep stored and covered. Then, I lay out my reference books and materials. These books are fabulous, I can and do spend hours with them! I choose a stone at random … [Read more...]
MK Designs partnered with Perlen Yukie last year at the Tucson show and we continue to enjoy the fabulous pearls that we are able to obtain from them. We have a varied inventory which are fabulous but the Lake Kasumigaura pearls are in a class all their own, they are unusual, quirky and completely out of the ordinary. As a very special bonus, this … [Read more...]
We are back! The Tucson Colored Gem Show is a mixture of hard work, excellent classes and just plain fun. Though we are exhausted, we returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm. Study courses, lectures and seminars were a large part of our day. Continuing education is so important in our industry and we do love to learn! … [Read more...]
The MK Designs team loves to have fun! We love kicky clothes, serious clothes and the can’t live without jeans of all types. Pairing the jewelry is the cherry on top. We mix and match everything. Jeans and a delicious pair of red spinel and diamond earrings, perfect. LBD and corkscrew diamond earrings, oh yea. Sexy champagne zircon earrings … [Read more...]
In our last blog we spoke about our party benefiting Sunshine from Darkness March 2. This event is the kick off for the Diamonds in the Rough luncheon, an annual affair presented by Sunshine from Darkness. 11 a.m. shopping and champagne at Michael’s on East will feature fine jewelry by MK Designs and The Golden Image. A presentation by … [Read more...]
Until recently the trapiche phenomena was found only in the Beryl family, notably Emerald. There has recently been a small production of Trapiche Sapphires from the Mogok region. Trapiche is the Spanish word for wagon wheel, which the star pattern in the stone resembles. This stationary six ray star is not caused by rutile silk (asterism) as … [Read more...]
