The Martian Chronicles

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Martian Miniatures

The beautiful landscape patterns of these polished jasper stones look just like miniature paintings or photos of Mars: the foothills of Mount Sharp, the ragged Murray Buttes, the slopes of Gale Crater, the steep valleys of the Noctis Labyrinthus, and the endless plains of Utopia Planitia. 

I string the jasper pendants with other stones such as leopard skin or Kambaba jasper, onyx, agate, quartz, sunstone, and goldstone. Then I add Czech crystals, metal, vintage acrylic and glass beads, and storytelling charms related to space travel. I also include two white volcanic  or metal beads to represent Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars.

Found on all continents and under the ocean, jasper was formed over billions of years under heat and pressure. The process began when silica-rich fluids seeped into porous rocks or sediments, depositing tiny quartz crystals, and filling in the spaces. The influx of different minerals has created the many colors and wide variety of patterns that jasper is known for, such as bumblebee, dendritic, galaxy, leopard skin, snakeskin, orbicular, Kambaba, plum blossom, poppy, Picasso, and others.

However, this variety of jasper is found only in the Red River valley‘s Cherry Creek Mine in northwest Qinghai Province, China. Iron oxide gives this stone the same red and bluish-gray coloring as the rocks and sands of Mars. When cut to overlap the boundary where two colors meet, the pattern looks like the horizon where the ground meets the sky. please note that it is exceedingly difficult to find jasper with a landscape pattern that is also cut in a landscape orientation, and then find matching stones. I have collected only 30 sets. 

I've been reading science fiction since I was old enough to hold a book, and this naturally led to an interest in space travel. I have been following our missions to Mars with wonder and awe. I was startled to discover stones that look exactly like NASA’s photos of specific locations on Mars! I enjoy wearing these pieces, and they often excite comment and questions .

Crafting  jewelry comes naturally to me. I trained as a painter and printmaker. I love working with my hands, from  stretching canvas to making frames, from stained glass to silk-painting. I have also tried my hand at ceramics, and mosaic. 

I'm genuinely excited by wearing and making wearable art,  and I lose myself at craft fairs and hardware stores, always picking up  techniques and being inspired. 

My current jewelry lines include: 

Binary Byzantine 

The Martian Chronicles 

The Elements