Alaskan Jewellery

[oceanblue1]

When sailing the Caribbean, I like to buy one special piece of jewellery that is significant to an area or a special gem. Does anyone have suggestions of a nice piece of jewellery that is particular to Alaska?

[Yukon]

Gold nuggets and "Alaska black diamond" (hematite) are two of the most distinctive.

 

Murray

[calee]

My wife bought a small (dime size) 14k whales tail pendant from a local custom jeweler in Skagway. It's very nice, she gets numerous comments on it and it always reminds us of a great day spent in Skagway.

[Pam]

I love the white quartz with the gold threading through it; I bought a pair of earrings in Juneau.

[Yukon]

My wife bought a small (dime size) 14k whales tail pendant from a local custom jeweler in Skagway. It's very nice, she gets numerous comments on it and it always reminds us of a great day spent in Skagway.

 

That's probably one of Ralf Gorichanaz' pieces. He does beautiful work - http://www.skagwayartworks.com/

 

Murray

[Budget Queen]

http://www.wmspear.com/

 

 

I always pick up a new pin when in Juneau. Reasonable prices and "Alaska unique". :)

[Tarheelbelle]

http://www.wmspear.com/

 

 

I always pick up a new pin when in Juneau. Reasonable prices and "Alaska unique". :)

Thanks, BQ. Those pins are so cute---will definitely look for in Juneau!

[calee]

That's probably one of Ralf Gorichanaz' pieces. He does beautiful work - http://www.skagwayartworks.com/

 

Murray

 

I believe that you're correct Murray, in any case we'll be stopping by there again on May 23rd to see what's new. It's a very nice shop.

[Dirtyoldad]

If you happen to be in Talkeetna for their annual "Moose Dropping Festival" there is plenty of moose dropping jewelry. From what I've read, they dehydrate the droppings, then sculpt and finally shellack. I've promised my 22 yr old daughter a nice pair of moose dropping earrings!!!!

[oceanblue1]

What a wide range of info. Thanks everyone....I'm excited about the jewellery now - right up there with the scenery !

[Gardyloo]

Bill Spear's pins are widely available outside Alaska but they are very cool, some with an "insider" political message (he used to be involved extensively in State politics.)

 

Jade and Jadeite are also commonly available around Alaska, sometimes combined with gold nuggets for a green-and-gold effect. Some tasteful, some... well...

 

You can also look for silver (bracelets etc.) with Tlingit designs in various ports in SE Alaska.

[maker102]

We went on a Carribean Cruise last year and found out about Ammolite. I talked the wife out of it and have been living it down ever since. Anyone know if the prices are good on this jewelry up there?

[mslvp7]

Hi...

 

When my parents went to Alaska about 12 years ago, they brought me back a gold medallion filled with gold nugget flakes. (I already had a nice gold chain to hang it on.)

 

I wore it a lot & never took it off when I showered - after a few years the back of the medallion came unglued & the flakes fell out. Saved a few of them. When I returned last year I planned to buy another one but we didn't find the really nice ones. These were 14k & the ones we saw last year weren't as nice.

 

I used to get a lot of comments on it.

 

Have fun!

 

 

great cruising home

 

When sailing the Caribbean, I like to buy one special piece of jewellery that is significant to an area or a special gem. Does anyone have suggestions of a nice piece of jewellery that is particular to Alaska?

[Screwbit]

We'll be doing our first Alaska cruise in Sept. on the Sapphire Princess. We've done nine Caribbean sailings, and on the Navigator of the Seas last January, was speaking with Darlene Bang, the Captain's lovely wife, at dinner. She mentioned that after all the years of sailings that they've done, she finds that jewelry prices are most competitive in Alaska, not the Caribbean. Is there truth to that?

[Nanner]

Frankly, I'm thinking that DH will decide I absolutely need a Yukon diamond. Don't know if you can find them readily in Alaska, but I plan to look for them in Dawson City and Whitehorse. I rather doubt they are a bargain, but would be a great memento.

[Yukon]

Sorry, Nanner, the Yukon isn't producing diamonds yet - the neighboring Northwest Territories is. Emeralds from the Yukon are either now or will soon be available on the market, though.

 

Murray

[Nanner]

Murray, I knew you'd set me on the right track. I was thinking of the Sirius diamonds, but couldn't think of the name. I know that some jewelers in the Yukon carry them.

 

Emeralds would work just fine, too. I'll have to let my DH know they might be available as well. No trip is complete without some jewelry to bring home.

[Yukon]

I thought that Sirius diamonds are sold in Whitehorse, but their Web site says no. You can, however, get them at 2 shops in Fairbanks - http://www.siriusdiamonds.com/

 

Murray

[AmbiBambi]

I realize that the "Alaskan Black Diamond" is actually hematite. But, I am wondering if anyone knows why it is called a black diamond and if anyone knows the value of it? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I am searching online and have found some info on hematite, but I have also found that there really are black diamonds... And I am just getting more confused.

[Yukon]

Hematite is called Alaska black diamonds here simply because it's black and shiny. It actually has very little value as a stone, and is quite soft. Real diamonds which are black are thought by most reputable gemologists to be a fad that will be short-lived ( http://www.blackdiamonds.co.uk/ )

 

Murray

[AmbiBambi]

Thank you so much for the info. That clears it up quite a bit.