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Gaspeite is a rare green mineral. It was named after the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec, Canada, the location of where it was first discovered and described in 1977. The discovery of gaspeite is credited to renowned American mineralogists, D.W. Kohls and J.L. Rodda. Initially, it was discarded as a worthless byproduct of nickel sulfide mining.

Gaspeite is considered to be one of the newer gemstones on the market, it has recently become very popular among gem and mineral collectors, mostly credited to its rarity and its slight similarity in appearance to rare green turquoise. Gaspeite is typically pale green to yellowish-green to bright apple-green in color, often accompanied by brownish veins of rock that run through the material at various depths. Gaspeite crystals are typically translucent, but when found in its natural state, gaspeite is opaque.

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Gaspeite is usually shaped and polished attractive apple-green color (often veined) cabochons and beads for jewelry use. On rare occasions, it may be faceted for collectors or for display purposes. The most common shapes are plain-cut ovals, rounds and cushions. Fancy shapes are quite rare, as are calibrated sizes. Gaspeite is often carved into ornamental objects and animal figurines and traded in rough crystal form. Specimens may also be polished or sliced into slabs when sold on the market.

Gaspeite is an extremely rare mineral, which belongs to the calcite group of minerals, and is known to occur in a small number of locations around the world. Aside from its type locality in Canada, some of the more significant deposits are found in New Mexico, USA, also in Australia, Greece, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Germany, and Kazakhstan. Most gem-quality specimens available today are sourced from Western Australia or New Mexico, USA.

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Born in Estonia, which is the far north region with wastelands overgrown with moss, huge firs, white and vast sand dunes at the water and cold Baltic Sea, Anna Perelman lives in sunny California now. Her beading experience is less than 4 years but Anna, who selected beadweaving as her primary technique, made great success. Just one fact: three Anna's beadworks were selected for the Bead Dreams final this year! So, meet Anna Perelman!

Anna says, "I lived with my mother, the most wonderful and good woman in the world, who, alas, could do a little with her hands. Yes, I remember, she knew how to sew on buttons. Once she started to knit a scarf, and had been knitting for a long time, and fall was over, and winter and spring, and she was still knitting! I think that is such a fighting spirit: if you began to do something - finish it and no matter what the cost is!

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I usually spend summer with my grandmother, and it was there my passion for crafts started. My grandmother could do lots of them! Well, just everything! Particularly she liked to embroider, and several paintings worked by the finest embroidery floss still hang in our house. Every time I see them, I marvel at the talent and the patience of a woman who could find time for the family, for work and for crafts.

There is no doubt that I took some of it after my grandmother. I've embroidered since my six or seven - in short, from the first grade in the school. I cannot say anything, it turned out not bad, but this technique didn't cause much interest. I picked up a needle and thread from time to time just to make embroidery on pants or on a dress, or somewhere else.

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I learned about beadwork not so long ago, about 3 years and some weeks ago as it is written on the first beaders' website where I registered. Well, let's say, 4 years ago, it doesn't matter. It all started quite ordinary. I had "my own" hairdresser who painted my hair. She was a truly professional master working at home and excellently doing her job.

Besides, in her free time she was weaving small things of beads like chains or earrings that were inexpensive, and sold them. I wasn't interested in beadwork, but guided by my constant desire to help anybody, I volunteered to find non-standard prototypes for her. She tried to protest weakly saying that she herself knows all, I answered proudly that if it got down to business, then be sure to finish (that's from my mom)!"

Full article by Anna Perelman
 
Beaded jewelry by Anna Perelman
 
Email: annaperelman@yahoo.com
 
Facebook: facebook.com/anna.perelman.121

Introducing Fiber Options: Material Explorations

July 14 - August 6, 2016
Artists' reception: July 24, 3-5 pm
Circle Gallery
18 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
Directions

From July 14 to August 6, MFA (Maryland Federation of Art) holds its 4th biennial Fiber Options: Material Explorations exhibition. Selected artists residing in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico will exhibit original 2-D and 3-D artworks created with fiber and fiber techniques there.