Introducing Pools of light

I had my first mesmerizing encounter with Pools of Light when I was just 18 years old at the original Powell’s Book Store in Portland Oregon who at the time also sold antiques. I asked to see the glowing necklace in the display case and was endeared for life to Mr. Powell when he didn’t balk at pulling it out for someone who clearly could not afford such a piece! Once it was clasped behind my head, I looked in the mirror and was speechless! A halo of light encircled my throat! It was stunning and I was knocked out completely by its magic!

For thousands of years, optically clear Quartz Crystal has been used in jewelry because of its ability to absorb and reflect light. During the last part of the 19th Century right up to the 1930’s Pools of Light were sought after and cherished in Europe and North America. They are highly collectable in the antique jewelry market with simple stands selling for as much as $800. A test to determine Quartz from glass is to hold an orb over something printed. Quartz will make the type appear up side down due to the property of double refraction inherent in the stone. Glass fails this test. This works with undrilled quartz only..

 Pools of light carries a mystique all its own. The ancient Chinese believed that the energy of stone is lost if it’s drilled. As a result the orbs that make up these pieces are joined together using sterling wire to keep the energy intact within the stone. Pools of light have always been sought after and as my Sainted Mother would say are as “rare as hen’s teeth” now. Decades have passed and I am no less enamored now that I was over 35 years ago. I am having them custom cut and polished for me so I can share their magic at a reasonable price for everyone. The style numbers that use the undrilled quartz are as follows. B20-N89-N90-N91-E 174-E175