Here we attempt to explain some points related to jewelry making, stones, and other information in an effort to help our customers better understand the quality of the items they are purchasing from Morning Mist Jewelry and Fine Art.

Stone Reference Chart

GIA Type 2 Clarity Colored Gemstones

Type 2 colored gemstones by their nature have natural inclusions (inclusions are the norm). This includes gems such as Andalusite, Chrysoberyl, Alexandrite, Corundum (i.e. Sapphire and Ruby), Garnet, Peridot, Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Ametrine, Spinel, Tourmaline, and Zircon.

At Morning Mist, we do our best to create wonderful art jewelry and we have a great time doing it! We utilize tourmaline, boulder opal, garnet, agates - you name the natural stone and we like it. We utilize as many stones that have the color from the earth. We use no heat treatments and no lab created stones. We do utilize rubies and sapphires that have been heat treated, as the cost is in the tens of thousands per carat for those stones in their natural form. We will use commercial stones upon request, but all of our pieces on this site are natural stones. We pride ourselves on our ability to bring out the fabulous beauty hidden within each stone, merely with cutting and polishing. We at Morning Mist use materials that are mined in an ethical manner that is not detrimental to the environment. We believe in and support fair labor practices.

If requested, we will disclose the treatment process to you. The gold is consistent in karat, 18kt is used most of the time and when feasible. The yellow color is deeper than 14kt and highlights married metals. We work with Kembo and Mokume’-gane, reticulation and we have made and have fun with niello. Keep an eye on our site - these pieces will soon be offered for sale. They are very involving art pieces that are a great challenge, rare to most and great to add to your art jewelry collection. There’s nothing wrong with looking great!

Our designs are not made solely for the softer gender; we also make many pieces for the gents in the world. The walk of life is a great challenge, but also fun to create. If you ride, we can make something for you or your scooter. If you play, we can create a great tailpiece for your axe or, if you are the metalhead you dream of being, just stay home during a lightning storm.

Here at Morning Mist, we will cater to all venues of folks in need of personal adornment, whether it is jewelry in the classic sense or for fun and even functional. Additionally, we engrave by hand and etch glass. We will repair whatever you decide to break or just plain let wear out. Give us your time and a chance and you won’t want to purchase elsewhere. Thanks for stopping in - and hey, if you don’t see it in the galleries, start a dialog with us and you shall have it.

Tad S, Coffen
Morning Mist Jewelry and Fine Arts

A Note from the Artist:
So, call me biased. I love tourmaline.

It is a very hard stone with a good color range. Once polished, it holds its luster forever. Generally, tourmaline is not heat treated as with most stones; you get the stone as it came from the earth.

The Sapphires and Rubies of your grandmothers were more than likely heat treated, as the process has been around for centuries.

Diamonds and tourmaline are among some stones that are generally not heat treated.