Creations by Clunes, Colorado Springs, CO (2026)

01/13/2025

I love working with Crazy Lace! Crazy Lace Agate is a specific variety of chalcedony, which are minerals that contain a microcrystalline structure and belong in the quartz family. Known for its captivating and chaotic banding patterns, Crazy Lace has had a rich history over the centuries and has retained its cultural significance to numerous social groups over that time. This stone is primarily found in Chihuahua, Mexico where it was first highly regarded by indigenous peoples of the Americas; some of which believed it to possess mystical properties and incorporated it into ceremonies and rituals.

The formation of this gemstone typically occurs in vesicles, (cavities) as nodules or geodes of volcanic rocks after they've cooled, such as basalt. As silica-rich solutions derived from groundwater and other mineral-rich sources pass through the porous volcanic rock, layers of microscopic silica are deposited onto the inner walls of the vesicles as it crystalizes. Over a long period of time, these alternating layers of differing minerals and silica create the patterns and bands characteristic of Crazy Lace Agate. This process can take millions of years, during which impurities and mineral inclusions may also contribute to the unique colors and patterns within the agate.

Agate gemstones have been values all over the world for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence of their cultural significance dating back to the Neolithic Era. The name "Agate" comes from the Greek philosopher Theophrastus who named the stone for the Achates River, (now named Dirillo River).

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1855278895/crazy-lace-agate-and-sterling-silver-xs

01/10/2025

New listing up tonight, Peruvian Turquoise and Sterling Silver 7.5in Braided Bracelet!

Despite the name and frequent confusion, this stone is actually a rare form of a Chrysocolla that is found only in Peru. It is an opaque, blue-green gemstone that displays a variety of designs due to the oxidization of copper, iron, and manganese. Peruvian Turquoise/Chrysocolla was commonly incorporated into the ceremonial dress of early, native Incas who considered it a sacred stone. Peruvian Turquoise/Chrysocolla hails from the famous Lilly Mine, located some 200 km South of the capital Lima and 40 km east of Pisco Umay. The mine opened in the early 90s and does not represent a large portion of total gem production.

As a hydrated copper silicate, Chrysocolla is a minor copper ore. Chrysocolla belongs to the silicate mineral group and is classified as a phyllosilicate, specifically a member of the kaolinite-serpentine group. It does not have a well-defined crystal structure and often occurs in amorphous or botryoidal masses as a result. It is also often found in association with copper minerals such as malachite, azurite, and cuprite. Known for its vibrant blue-green to green color, it's named after the Greek words "chrysos" meaning gold, and "kolla" meaning glue, due to its historical use as a flux in soldering gold.

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1856423127/peruvian-chrysocolla-and-sterling-silver

01/08/2025

I love this stone so much! A variety of chalcedony, Fire Agate is a semi-precious gemstone discovered so far only in certain areas of cental and northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, (New Mexico, Arizona, and California). During the Tertiary Period, approximately 24-36 million years ago, these areas were sujected to massive volcanic activity - fire agates were formed during this period when hot water, saturated with silica and iron oxide, repeatedly filled cracks and bubbles in the surrounding rock.

Fire agates have beautiful iridescent rainbow colors, similar to opal, with a hardness between 5 and 7 Mohs, which reduces the occurrence of scratching. The iridescent rainbow colors found within are created by the Schiller effect as found in mother-of-pearl, caused by the alternating silica and iron oxide or limonite layers allowing light to pass and form an interference of colors within the mico-structure layering of the stone causing the fire effect.

Agate gemstones have been values all over the world for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence of their cultural significance dating back to the Neolithic Era. The name "Agate" comes from the Greek philosopher Theophrastus who named the stone for the Achates River, (now named Dirillo River).

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1854645975/blue-fire-agate-and-sterling-silver

01/07/2025

Malachite is an opaque, green banded copper carbonate hydroxide mineral and crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. It is also fibrous and forms stalagmites deep underground where a water table and hydrothermal fluids provides the means for chemical precipitation. The oldest malachite stone mines are at Great Orme in Great Britain and date to approximately 3,800 years ago. The stone often results from the weathering of copper ores and is often found together with azurite, geothite, and calcite.

Moonstone, also called Hecatolite, is a sodium potassium aluminium silicate and belongs to the feldspar group. The name Moonstone comes from the light diffraction within the micro-structure of albite lamellae, (feldspar layers) that create a blue shimmer reflected on the surface of the stone - a phenomena referred to as adularesence, or more commonly, "Blue Flash". Moonstone is composed of orthoclase and albite, two feldspar species that separate into stacked, alternating layers as the newly formed mineral cools. This gem has been used for jewelry purposes for millennia - both the Romans and Greeks associated the stone with their lunar deities.

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1840463996/malachite-moonstone-and-sterling-silver

01/06/2025

Definitely my favorite braid pattern so far, and one of my favorite beads. Chrysocolla belongs to the silicate mineral group and is classified as a phyllosilicate, specifically a member of the kaolinite-serpentine group. It does not have a well-defined crystal structure and often occurs in amorphous or botryoidal masses as a result. It is also often found in association with copper minerals such as malachite, azurite, and cuprite. Known for its vibrant blue-green to green color, it's named after the Greek words "chrysos" meaning gold, and "kolla" meaning glue, due to its historical use as a flux in soldering gold.

Chrysocolla can form through hydrothermal and supergene processes and can also form as a result of secondary deposition - the leaching and redeposition of copper minerals.

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1840456232/blue-chrysocolla-and-sterling-silver

01/05/2025

New bracelet! Larimar, also known as the Caribbean Gemstone, is a type of pectolite - a mineral composed of sodium, calcium, and silicate minerals. While pectolite can be found in other locations around the world, Larimar's distinct color is attributed to the copper in its composition. This unique blue gemstone is found almost exclusively in the province of Barahona of the Dominican Republic.

Known for its striking blue color with white and light blue marbling patterns, Larimar is reminiscent of the Caribbean Sea from which it hails. The limited geographic occurrence and specific conditions required for its formation contribute to its rarity, making Larimar highly prized and sought after in the world of gemstone enthusiasts and jewelry collectors.

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1854068619/larimar-and-sterling-silver-double-braid

12/22/2024

Aqua Terra Jasper and Sterling Silver Double Braid 7in Bracelet

Brought this enigmatic stone back for another piece! While it is typically agreed upon that this is a type of jasper, what to call this particular gemstone still appears to be up for debate. For instance, it was sold to me as Emperor's Stone, however in my research I have also seen Aqua Terra Jasper referred to as some variety of Sky Blue Jasper, Impression Stone, Imperial Jasper, as well as Seafoam Jasper.

Jasper are varieties of chalcedony with a microcrystalline structure that belong in the quartz family. Jaspers are primarily composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2), and can form from sedimentation, volcanic activity, as well as in hydrothermal environments. Impurities and mineral inclusions such as iron, manganese, and sulfur combined with one of the above formation process are what give Jaspers their wide variety of colors and pattern combinations.

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1832081649/aqua-terra-jasper-and-sterling-silver

12/21/2024

Faceted Larimar Rondelles and Sterling Silver 7.25in Bracelet

More Larimar! Larimar, also known as the Caribbean Gemstone, is a type of pectolite - a mineral composed of sodium, calcium, and silicate minerals. While pectolite can be found in other locations around the world, Larimar's disctinct color is attributed to the copper in its composition. This unique blue gemstone is found almost exclusively in the province of Barahona of the Dominican Republic.

Known for its striking blue color with white and light blue marbling patterns, Larimar is reminiscent of the Caribbean Sea from which it hails. The limited geographic occurrence and specific conditions required for its formation contribute to its rarity, makes Larimar highly prized and sought after in the world of gemstone enthusiasts and jewelry collectors.

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1811156804/faceted-larimar-rondelle-and-sterling

12/20/2024

Faceted Lavender Rounds and Sterling Silver 8in Bracelet

Another lavender piece! I love this stone so much. Lavender quartz is a rare gemstone that only comes from a single mine, the Boquira Mine in the northern Brazilian state of Bahia in the municipality of Oliveira dos Brejinhos. Although the mined opened in 1956, it is currently no longer in production.

Lavender also goes by the names of Lavender Dream, Lavender Rose, Lavender Moon, and Lavender Amethyst. It is a variety of microcrystalline quartz, but is neither an amethyst nor a chalcedony. What distinguishes Lavender from Amethyst and Rose Quartz are the unique, pastel colors of soft purples and pinks. The unique hues are attributed to the presence of trace elements, or irradiation, during the gem's formation. Lavender Quartz is often found in crystalline formations.

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1825382531/faceted-lavender-rounds-and-sterling

12/19/2024

Blue Dyed Crazy Lace Agate and Sterling Silver Double Braid 7in Bracelet

Crazy Lace Agate is a specific variety of chalcedony, which are minerals that contain a microcrystalline structure and belong in the quartz family. Known for its captivating and chaotic banding patterns, Crazy Lace has had a rich history over the centuries and has retained its cultural significance to numerous social groups over that time. This stone is primarily found in Chihuahua, Mexico where it was first highly regarded by indigenous peoples of the Americas; some of which believed it to possess mystical properties and incorporated it into ceremonies and rituals.

The formation of this gemstone typically occurs in vesicles, (cavities) as nodules or geodes of volcanic rocks after they've cooled, such as basalt. As silica-rich solutions derived from groundwater and other mineral-rich sources pass through the porous volcanic rock, layers of microscopic silica are deposited onto the inner walls of the vesicles as it crystalizes. Over a long period of time, these alternating layers of differing minerals and silica create the patterns and bands characteristic of Crazy Lace Agate. This process can take millions of years, during which impurities and mineral inclusions may also contribute to the unique colors and patterns within the agate.

Agate gemstones have been values all over the world for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence of their cultural significance dating back to the Neolithic Era. The name "Agate" comes from the Greek philosopher Theophrastus who named the stone for the Achates River, (now named Dirillo River).

https://creationsbyclunes.etsy.com/listing/1804006066/blue-dyed-crazy-lace-agate-and-sterling

Creations by Clunes

01/13/2025

01/10/2025

01/08/2025

01/07/2025

01/06/2025

01/05/2025

12/22/2024

12/21/2024

12/20/2024

12/19/2024

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