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Diopside is a green mineral deriving its name from the Greek DIS - "twice", and OPSE - "face", "appearance" in reference to two ways of orienting the vertical prism; diopside was first described about 1800. Diopside is transparent to translucent and commonly light to dark green, but may be blue, brown, colorless, white, grey. Gemstone quality diopside is found in two forms: the black star diopside and the chrome diopside (which includes chromium, giving it a rich green color). Chrome diopside literally glows with green.

Gems with an attractive pure green color are generally rare and pricey. Of course, emerald is the most valuable and popular green gem though it is more famous for its color than its clarity. Tsavorite garnet came on to the market in the 1970s and became the second choice in fine green gems. High quality tsavorite not only has an excellent saturated green color, but it also has superior brilliance, clarity and hardness, and prices are as high or higher than those of emerald.

The next choice is a variety of green tourmaline known as chrome tourmaline. Like tsavorite garnet, chrome tourmaline is found in East Africa and is a pure forest green with a slightly yellowish to bluish secondary hue. Unfortunately, chrome tourmaline turned out to be as scarce and expensive as tsavorite garnet. Another green gem, peridot tends to be yellowish or olive green, and never has the deeper tones of tsavorite or chrome tourmaline.

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All changed in 1988 when a major new find of chromium-bearing diopside was discovered and this rich green gem came to the market at an amazingly low, affordable price - under $100 a carat in smaller sizes. In fact, it's the most affordable gemstone in a rich green. The home to this world's primary source of chrome diopside is in a remote location in Eastern Siberia in Yakutia region which is better known for its impressive diamond deposits.

In Siberia, there isn't much green to admire for most of the year. Perhaps in compensation, nature placed rich deposits of a vivid green chrome diopside in this snowy region to delight the eye during the long and hard winter months. Except Russia, diopside occurrences are reported in Canada, South Africa, Brazil, and a wide variety of other locations including USA.

Chrome diopside is mostly available in small sizes: in the rare large sizes, the color actually becomes so rich that it's too dark. But for bright green accent stones, chrome diopside is ideal. However, it's relatively soft, so diopside is a better choice for earrings or a pendant than for a ring which will receive a lot of wear; and it looks stunning when set in gold.

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My name is Irina Sidina, I live on the Volga River, in the small town of Balakovo, Saratov region, Russia.

Irina says, "Three years ago the beads were my wonderful childhood memories, maybe it would have stayed if my friends and I didn't organize an exhibition of handicrafts where we invited another our good friend who was fond of beading. I knew about her passion and the words didn't have much impact, but when I saw a display case with her beadworks, I was literally speechless! It was a surprise mingled with delight! My ego diagnosed, "You want to learn it!" - And it was the beginning of my long journey into the world of beads.

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Now it has been on purpose. I bought beads which I could find in my local craft shops (Chinese), picked up a pretty difficult pattern and began to weave ... Having cut for the third time my little bauble, I once again thanked my parents for my mentally genes of stubbornness and perseverance, and started all over again, but already acting on the plan. First of all, I decided that it was necessary to learn from the real artists, and climbed to the Internet looking for the sources of inspiration and information. Secondly, I needed quality materials, and I ordered Czech beads, good findings and other materials.

In general, for three years now I cannot stop and when I ask the question what beads are for me, I can firmly say, "Beads are my friends, with whom I share the joys and sorrows, my little disappointments and big wins, these are my thoughts, fantasies, my mood and my dreams!" I draw my ideas from all that surrounds me, any little thing can be joyful and beautiful, can be implemented in the form of jewelry. When people guess a theme of a finished necklace and when someone says that he smiles looking at my jewelry, I feel happy. "Joys divided are increased." (c) Josiah Gilbert Holland.

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Not all I get, not everything I can. For example, I have done so far only small steps in weaving, and my favorite bead embroidery can be much better, and I think soutache as a jewelry making material is just an inexhaustible subject. I'm constantly learning and getting great fun from learning. Now there are many new types of beads, and it's always very interesting to me to try in my work something new to create another texture of 3-D. I was very fond of Tila beads, I like the way the beads lies forming an interesting line like a paved path.

Working with Tila is a pleasure, they are very nice to the touch and smooth, reminiscent of silk cloth. I used these square beads in the necklace "Ganesha" to create a completely non-square shapes, and it has seemed to me more interesting to work. I really enjoy working with the Long Magatama beads, they allowed similarity of the scales in the pendant "My Fish" and petals of "alien" colors in my blue wristband. Recently I've tried Czech Twin beads and woven multiple bracelets - I got a pleasure!.."

Full article by Irina Sidina
 
Beaded jewelry by Irina Sidina
 
Email address: sidina@bk.ru
 
Website: liveinternet.ru/users/jriska/rubric/2374820
 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002917183820

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My name is Yana Bespalaya, I live in Kharkov, Ukraine and I'm more commonly known as Meisterin in the Internet. After the end of the "Fashion Colorworks 2014" when I found out that my work won it, I was expecting to be interviewed and was not prepared to write an article. But the format of featuring winners has changed this year, and I had to "turn on" my memory and eloquence to tell about myself, about the contest and creativity.

Yana says, "Since I can remember, I've always been interested in something: martial arts, playing guitar, drawing, knitting. I have long been interested in music just as a listener, I draw on the level of sketches for my beadworks, I knit with beads, I was a Ukrainian taekwondo champion of Ukraine but hasn't long been engaged in that sport. Instead, beading has stayed with me for 16 years.

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It all started with weaving baubles from Chinese glass beads; later I've used Czech beads for some complex work, as well as for contest and exhibition items. At the moment I get a real pleasure to work with Japanese beads, quality findings and gemstones. Now beading for me is not just a hobby, but also a stable source of income.

Prior to each my work, I draw a sketch and although I deviate from original ideas very often, I follow already created image. My favorite technique is peyote and brick stitch, bead embroidery and, of course, free-form, which gives me ability freely put together some elements made from different materials. I love pastel or very lively, juicy colors. I really like combinations of black with bright shades accented by tiny details in gold or silver.

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I like working with Delica beads by Miyuki, thanks to them I can create beautiful geometric shapes and using different sizes make interesting non-standard forms. When participating in Fashion Colorworks, I discovered Miyuki Tila beads. I gave them a try and I was pretty excited; I've already drawn some sketches of designs with Tila for the future beadworks.

In addition to jewelry bead weaving, I'm also fascinated by bead paintings. For this I mostly use the Czech beads of Preciosa, I love them for their rich color palette, a wide range of sizes and great value. Previously, when studied at the university and worked, I could spend only 2-3 evening hours to work with beads. Then, when I opened my online store and started to receive commissions, I began to devote almost all working hours to my favorite hobby. Now, going on maternity leave, I'm beading at any convenient time..."

Full article by Yana Bespalaya
 
Beadwork gallery by Yana Bespalaya
 
Email address: meisterin@bk.ru
 
Website: meisterin.com.ua

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