SMOKEY CITRINE

Gemstones are all beautiful and interesting in their own unique ways and it's hard for me to pick a single favorite. As the clock keeps ticking and my mind gains knowledge my favorite gems can change. I have many favorites for many different reasons, so for this entry I will stick to a couple of the ones that inspire my jewelry creativity. Currently my favorite stones are Amethyst and Herkimer “Diamond” Quartz.

Amethyst, to me, comes off as a very mystical stone. The deep purple that appears to enter the clear quartz in a ghostly manner makes me think of wise spirits creeping into one’s physical plane. The color purple is usually used to describe passion and something dear to your heart and spiritual center, so when I see a purple amethyst I automatically start thinking about the spirit world’s influence on physical life. Amethyst is very abundant and deep purple in my mother continent Africa. That could be another reason that I feel so connected to it. 

Herkimer “Diamond” Quartz is important to me for a couple of reasons: It’s natural brilliance and clarity, and it will always remind me of the adventure Citrine and I recently took to Herkimer NY.
Herkimer’s are super pretty in their natural state. Mining for them is like pulling hand cut glass from Earth’s solid womb. I love the fact that these stones are practically extracted in a form that’s already ready for gifting or jewelry making. After a fresh rain in the Herkimer quarry, the ground shimmers as if the earth has been coated in fine glitter. I also feel the spirit of Herkimer County NY in these stones. When we were there, we met many friendly and welcoming people who thoroughly enjoyed life’s natural beauty. Mining for Herkimer Quartz is super hard work, but the feeling you get when you finally see the stone’s shimmer is totally worth every drop of sweat.

A few honorable mentions are Emeralds, Smokey Quartz, Tourmaline, and the many varieties of Garnets.

Why I love gemstones and one of my favorite stones:

​I love gemstones because they are naturally occurring in our planet. They form in complex geometric shapes or large amorphous masses. Gemstones are full of mystery because they formed many years ago before any of us existed. Some times gemstones appear immediately clear and sparkly, some times they have to be discovered, cleaned, and polished. Fossils occur in stones which is one of my initial fascinations with stones. There’s nothing quite like searching for interesting minerals on long walks through different terrain. I love the vibrant and rich colors of stones. It’s a reminder that color exists naturally and we should expose ourselves to more color.

The ages of gemstones are miraculous. We can hold in our hands something that predates all that surrounds us, even the gigantic rock we live on. How cool is that?  We as humans are made up of many of the minerals these gemstones are comprised of. Calcium, iron, water. Suppose these stones are manifestations of older life forms incapsulated. Many people across the world believe gemstones are their ancestors.

One of my favorite stone is Moss Agate. Moss Agate captures my attention for many reasons. I enjoy the serene color palette ranging from clear, white, green, orange and red. These specimen look strikingly similar to moss we experience in forests. Some times they look like land scapes or aerial views of the planet. I could look at polished moss agate all day. It’s an inspiring depiction of earthly elements that reminds me how our planet is remarkably beautiful. I feel connected to our planet and its nature scapes when observing it. Moss agate is a humble stone full of intricacies that makes me appreciate life in its many capacities. It takes me to a green space heavily wooded with no human touch or civilization. A peaceful vision and mood that invites us to remain in tune with nature’s all encompassing life giving energy.

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Written By
Citrine LaCroix
Jewelry Designer | Co-Founder of SmokeyCitrine

We are SmokeyCitrine, a dynamic and creative duo of artists that share a passion for gemstones, a natural lifestyle, spirituality, jewelry making, and virtually all kinds of artistry. Through SmokeyCitrine we will be releasing limited quantity handmade jewelry, unique gemstones, and one of a kind Artworks all made with the intention of bringing light, excitement, and love to your personal space. We believe that life is meant to be celebrated and enjoyed to the fullest, and sometimes the right jewelry can make you feel perfect with peak optimism. 

Everything sold in our shop, other than some of the beads and modified gemstones, are created by our hands and equipment in our home studio in Southwest Detroit. Our plan is to evolve into a gallery location with a storefront so every purchase from our store will contribute to that evolution. We are forward thinkers with a lot of inspiration from the past and spirituality. If you are ever close to Metro Detroit, contact us for an intimate tour of our jewelry studio where you will be able so see our completed works as well as our works in progress and try some things on.