I had the opportunity to “cut stones” this past Sunday. I cut a piece of Ethiopian Opal and shaped it into a pear shape cabochon. It was so much fun! I learned so much about the stone too. Ethiopian opal is porous and soaks up a lot of water during the lapidary process. It is finally dry today and showing all its beautiful flashes! I hope I get to learn about every gem this way 🙂 I regret not taking a before pic. Next time!!!
In case y’all are wondering exactly where the name “Zinnialou” came from!? I’m gonna tell you… It was my Great Aunt’s name… Well, I grew up calling her Aunt Beck and it was just a few years ago that we found out the truth about her alias. After Aunt Beck passed, we found her birth certificate and poof there was her real name. Imagine our shock of learning she changed her name to Rebecca at the appropriate age. Zinnialou was way more fitting for this free spirited woman. She was a riot. I feel like my jewelry designs fully grasp the “Zinnialou” side of “Aunt Beck”. I think she would be proud of her name today!